The purpose of the study is to reveal the theoretical aspects and business problems related to the practice of applying certain regulatory measures of the state to master the ESG agenda and to justify measures that contribute to the activation of these processes. The following tasks were solved in the study: based on the systematization of knowledge available in the scientific literature about the principles and categories of sustainable development in relation to agriculture, the principles of sustainable development, and areas for the implementation of the ESG agenda are formulated. Special attention is paid to the problems of legal regulation and its adaptation to the specifics of the industry, the impact of government support on the sustainable development of the agricultural sector, as well as opportunities and limitations in promoting ESG initiatives among agricultural enterprises. The results obtained can serve as a basis for further research and development of measures aimed at the effective implementation of ESG principles in the agricultural sector of Russia, improving training programs for managers for the agricultural sector of the economy and areas of state regulation of issues of interaction between large and small agricultural businesses in the implementation of the ESG agenda.