f modern trends of the development of higher education applicants in Ukraine, taking into account holistic economic development. Research methods. During the research were used the following general scientific and special methods: comparative (for evaluating structural changes of activities on social responsibility of agrarian higher education institutions of Ukraine); structural and system analysis and synthesis (for study and generalization of structural proportions and shifts in the formation of social responsibility of higher education institutions in the agrarian sector of the economy); methods of systematic analysis and grouping (for definition and calculation of indicators of social responsibility assessment of five leaders of agrarian institutions of higher education in Ukraine). Research results. The features and role of social responsibility in agrarian institutions of higher education were investigated. The analysis of types of activities on social responsibility of five leaders of agrarian institutions of higher education, which allows to determine a level of their social responsibility. An incubator of social innovations (Mykolaiv National Agrarian University was chosen as an example) was proposed to activate the work of talented and capable individuals that will lead to holistic economic development. Elements of scientific novelty. The theory of educational socialization as a mean of changing the development trajectory of the agrarian sector of economy on basis of transformation of social thinking paradigm into socially responsible one was substantiated. It can be a basis for modern educational functions implementation, which will ultimately ensure socially oriented activity of subjects in the society. Practical significance. The ways of changing orientations, goals and values of higher education students who are recognized in society as socially responsible were proposed. It will help to increase social responsibility of human capital in the agrarian sector of the economy and help to reorient society in the direction of responsible behaviour on basis of the holistic development. Tabl.: 1. Figs.: 1. Refs.: 16