Abstract: This article is dedicated to examination of the questions of import substitution of food in Russia as the priority task on rapid ensuring of the food security in the country. The author substantiates the need for implementation of the large-scale system of measures in the field of agriculture and agribusiness pertaining to the increase in production volume and processing of the agricultural products in the Russian Federation. This will help in ensuring the food independence of Russia in the aspect of food volume, as well as improvement of the quality of food ration of the Russian residents. In addition to the stated above, the modernization of agricultural and agro-industrial sector of economy of the Russian Federation will enhance its competitiveness in comparison with other countries, ensuring the profitability of agricultural enterprises and enterprises that specialize in processing of the agricultural products. In turn, the agricultural sector of the Russian economy will play the role of a so-called locomotive, providing the growth of GDP in the country.

Keywords: agriculture, challenge, priority, security, Russia, food, import substitution, sanctions, economy, tasks