The article presents an analysis of the small business environment and development in Russia, discusses state programs for the development of small and medium-sized businesses, a system of measures to support small businesses in the agricultural sector of the economy, and the role of franchising as one of the areas of small business development. The main problems of the development of small agribusiness, the introduction of innovations and the digital transformation of agricultural production in small export-oriented entrepreneurship are identified. The measures to improve the efficiency of small businesses, including these during the COVID-19 pandemic, are described.