The purpose of the article is to analyse the views of domestic and foreign scientists on an essence of concepts of “entrepreneurship” and “entrepreneur” defining features of the development of entrepreneurial activity in the agrarian sector of economy. Research methods. The research is based on the following scientific methods: retrospective analysis (evolution of the formation and development of concepts of “entrepreneur” and “entrepreneurship” in the world and domestic science); evolutionary and historical (to outline the stages of development of entrepreneurship theory); comparative analysis (to define the concept of “entrepreneur” depending on functions performed by him); synthesis (to represent features of the development of entrepreneurial activity in the agricultural sector); abstract-logical (for theoretical generalizations and formulation of conclusions). Research results. Essence of the concepts of “entrepreneurship” and “entrepreneur” was examined as well as features for the development of entrepreneurial activity in the agrarian sector. It was established that entrepreneurship is an independent initiative activity, the main incentive of which is profit making. The views of scholars of the past and present who emphasized innovativeness as a characteristic feature of the entrepreneur were characterized. The article considers the basics of entrepreneurial activity. Elements of scientific novelty. Theoretical provisions concerning definition of the essence of the concept of “entrepreneurship” were further developed. The concept of “entrepreneur” has been defined depending on functions performed by him. Stages of the development of the theory of entrepreneurship and role of the state as a regulator of the entrepreneurial process were presented. Practical significance. Features defining entrepreneurial activity in the agrarian sector were outlined. Measures aimed to provide favourable institutional development of rural entrepreneurship were highlighted. Necessity of development of the national program on the development of agrarian enterprises was determined. Tabl.: 1. Figs.: 3. Refs.: 31
entrepreneurship; entrepreneur; entrepreneurship theory; concepts of entrepreneurship; agrarian entrepreneurship; innovations; institutional development