74874 - Principles Of Agricultural Economics

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course, students will have a critical understanding of the theoretical principles underpinning consumer and business choices, as well as the basic concepts of market mechanisms. They will acquire the ability to analyze the economic context and perspectives in the agro-food and environmental sectors, and to provide solutions to organizational and management issues. Students will also be able to develop project proposals and will be familiar with the main elements of agri-environmental and environmental policies.

Course contents

 Lectures (36 hours) and Practical Exercises (24 hours), 6 ECTS

MODULE 1. PRINCIPLES OF ECONOMICS (30 hours, 3 ECTS)

1. Elements of Microeconomics:

• Market: definition, types, mechanisms, comparative static analysis;

• Consumer theory: Engel’s law, demand law, influencing factors, consumer surplus;

• Firm theory: sector and production level choices, supply, influencing factors, producer surplus.

1. Environmental Economics:

• Welfare economics: efficiency and equity, market distortions;

• Environmental economics: nature of common resources, externalities, market and environment, environmental Kuznets curve.

 

MODULE 2. AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD POLICIES (30 hours, 3 ECTS)

1. Common Agricultural Policy (CAP):

• Objectives of the CAP;

• Evolution of the CAP and the international context;

• The new 2021–2027 policy framework;

• Prospects for the sector and enterprises.

1. Common Agri-Environmental Policies:

• Mandatory agri-environmental policies;

• Rural development programmes;

• Eco-schemes (ecological regimes).

1. International Agricultural Policies:

• Effects of protectionism;

• Land grabbing.

Readings/Bibliography

The following references are recommended for attending students and required for non-attending students:

• Varian H. R., Microeconomics, Cafoscarina, Venice 2007 (Ch. 1, 14, 15, 21, 22);

• Turner K., Pearce D., Bateman I., Environmental Economics, Il Mulino, Bologna 2003 (Ch. 1, 2, 5, 10, 12, 14);

• Dasgupta P., The Economics of Biodiversity – The Dasgupta Review, London 2021,
  Full Report [https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/957291/Dasgupta_Review_-_Full_Report.pdf]

• Panella G., Economia e politiche dell’ambiente, Carocci, Rome 2002 (Ch. 1, 2, 5, 6, 8, 11);

• Course slides: https://virtuale.unibo.it (including additional bibliographic and web resources).

Teaching methods

Front loaded and active learning methodologies.

To deepen discussion on the topics covered and to develop students' skills in presenting both oral and written work, the course includes seminars and individual or group exercises. These include:

• Presentation and discussion of scientific articles;

• Comparative analysis of environmental policies for pollution control;

• Use of economic and computational models for ex-ante and ex-post evaluation of agricultural, agri-environmental, environmental, and rural development policies.

Assessment methods

The knowledge and skills acquired through the course will be assessed through a final examination, as follows:

a. For attending students: written exam (4 open-ended questions covering both theoretical and practical topics; duration: 1 hour; no supporting materials allowed);

b. For non-attending students: oral exam (approximately 45 minutes) covering the course content and required readings.

In addition to knowledge, the evaluation will consider analytical skills, clarity of expression, command of specific terminology, and logical ability to connect topics. Each written question contributes one-quarter to the final grade. The maximum score is 30 cum laude. The minimum passing grade is 18/30.

 

Students with learning disorders and\or temporary or permanent disabilities: please, contact the office responsible (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en/for-students) as soon as possible so that they can propose acceptable adjustments. The request for adaptation must be submitted in advance (15 days before the exam date) to the lecturer, who will assess the appropriateness of the adjustments, taking into account the teaching objectives.

Teaching tools

Laptop and beamer.

Office hours

See the website of Luca Falasconi

See the website of Marco Setti