65977 - Agricultural Economics and Rural Appraisal

Learning outcomes

At the end of the teaching the student has the theoretical tools to reach a critical view of the main national and international economic problems that allow him/her to express adequate evaluations on macroeconomic problems. At the end of the teaching, the student knows the economic tools to allow an efficient planning of production and agro-food chain. In particular, the student is able to solve microeconomic problems, knows the methods of business management, knows the community agricultural policies. For the estimation part, at the end of the teaching, the student is able to face the professional problems related to the economic evaluation of economic and environmental goods related to the agro-livestock activity. The guiding principles of the discipline will also be tackled in a critical function in order to be adapted to emerging issues.

Course contents

Module 1: Agri-food Policies and EMFF (40 hours)

This module analyses the institutional context and policy dynamics governing the sector, with a specific focus on European programming and its impact on the national system.

• The Common Agricultural Policy (CAP): Historical evolution, objectives, instruments and impact of the main European policy for the agricultural sector.
• The European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFF): Study of the objectives, priorities and support measures for the fisheries and aquaculture sectors.

Module 2: Agri-Food Economics (60 hours)

The module focuses on economic and management tools for analysing agri-food businesses and markets, from production theory to competitive strategies.

• The Agri-Food System (AFS) in the general economic context: Analysis of the structure of the AFS, with in-depth studies of companies, sectors, supply chains and agro-industrial districts.
• The agro-industrial enterprise and economic management: Study of the concepts of cost-effectiveness, income and capital. Introduction to analytical and management accounting, planning and management control.
• Introduction to the basic concepts of market functioning: demand, supply, elasticity
• The Business Plan for the agro-industrial enterprise: Practical guide to drafting a business plan, analysing its fundamental phases and its usefulness as a planning and communication tool.

Recommended reading

• Module 1 (Politiche Agroalimentari e FEAMPA): Sotte, F. (a cura di), La politica agricola europea. Le questioni, gli attori, il futuro, Edagricole.

• Module 2 (Economia Agroalimentare): Menozzi, D., Economia del sistema agroalimentare, EdiSES.

Readings/Bibliography

Lecture notes and slide

Recommended reading

• Module 1 (Politiche Agroalimentari e FEAMPA): Sotte, F. (a cura di), La politica agricola europea. Le questioni, gli attori, il futuro, Edagricole.

• Module 2 (Economia Agroalimentare): Menozzi, D., Economia del sistema agroalimentare, EdiSES.

Teaching methods

Front courses

Case study analysis and problem solving approach

Participatory teaching methods. 1) During the classes, Students are regularly required to apply the basic economic concepts and analytical schemes to practical cases and problems, suggested by the Sudents or by the Teacher himself. 2) At least once during the course (mid/final part) a review session is developed, based on Teacher instruction, where Students are demanded to recall the arguments treated during the classes, structure them according to logical criteria, identify functional links among concepts and analytical schemes. In case of remote learning, this activity can be substituted by mid-term test (multi-choice test).

Students with special needs are invited to contact by email the professors of the different modules in order to illustrate them and better organize teaching and exams

Assessment methods

The examination procedures will be agreed with the students themselves during the year.

 

Oral examination: The aim of the oral examination is knowledge assessment.

Examination list will be published on Alma Esami. On-line examinations are performed through institutional platforms (Teams), directly linked to the public examination list (e.mail convocation and participation link).

No support material is allowed during the examinations.

Examination result will contribute to final votation in relation to course credits.

 

GRID FOR ATTRIBUTION OF THE GRADE (ORAL EXAMINATION)
A very thorough knowledge of the topics addressed in the course, together with high skills of critical analysis, linkage and confident mastery of specific terminology will be evaluated with the highest score (30-30L).
A thorough knowledge of the topics covered in the course, together with good analytical and critical skills and a sure command of specific terminology will be evaluated with good marks (27-29).
A technically adequate preparation and sufficient analytical skills, even if not particularly articulate, expressed in a correct language, will produce discrete evaluations (23-26).
Sufficient preparation and analytical skills, expressed in a barely formally correct language, will determine sufficiency (18-22).

Teaching tools

Slide presentation

Case analysis

Exercises and test based on web applications and Excel

Course materials are available on platform VIRTUALE. Students are invited to e-mail the Teacher for any problem concerning the access, the organization or the content of published materials.

Office hours

See the website of Felice Adinolfi

See the website of Margherita Masi