93666 - Smart Farm Management

Learning outcomes

At course completion, the student possesses knowledge on: economic and financial management of the agricultural company; management models based on digital technologies; evaluation of investments and economic impacts from the introduction of innovative production processes in the company’s system. In particular, the student possesses the skills to: organize the company using digital production and management control tools; relate the company to external information and monitoring systems such as those relating to traceability along the supply chain and those for policy management: managing information, organizational and training aspects related to innovation procedures; measure the economic performance indicators of innovative production procedures based on the use of digital technologies; recognize the strategic and organizational dimension of business activities and relations with the environment and the competitive system.

Course contents

PREREQUISITES: There are no formal prerequisites for this course. However, a basic understanding of key concepts of mathematics and statistics (such as interpreting equations and graphs) will facilitate the comprehension of the topics covered during the course.

 

Setting the context: Smart Farming, Sustainability and Digital Transformation

Learning Objectives

• Introduce the conceptual framework of smart and sustainable farming
• Understand the main drivers of change in agriculture and food systems
• Frame the role of digital technologies, sustainability and innovation in farm management

Contents

• Global challenges in agriculture and food systems:
  • Food security and nutrition
  • Climate change and environmental pressures
  • Resource scarcity and ecosystem degradation
  • Market volatility and policy constraints
• Evolution of farming systems: from conventional to smart and sustainable agriculture
• Smart farming concepts and key enabling technologies
• Sustainability paradigms in agriculture: economic, environmental and social dimensions
• Role of innovation and digital transformation in agricultural competitiveness
• Overview of policy frameworks shaping smart and sustainable farming (EU and global perspective)

Strategic, Organisational and Competitive Dimensions of Smart Farms

Learning Objectives

• Understand strategic and organizational implications of innovation
• Analyse farm positioning within competitive and environmental systems

  Contents

• Strategic management in agriculture
• Innovation-driven business models in agribusiness
• Organizational changes induced by digital technologies
• Human capital, skills development and training for innovation
• Relationships with the external environment:
  • Markets and value chains
  • Institutions and policies
  • Technology providers
• Competitive strategies and sustainability in smart farming systems

  Digital Technologies and Smart Farm Management Models

  Learning Objectives

• Understand digital transformation in agriculture

  Contents

• Smart farming concepts and evolution
• Digital technologies in agriculture, including Artificial Intelligence:
  • Precision agriculture
  • IoT, sensors, drones, satellite data
  • Farm Management Information Systems (FMIS)
• Data-driven decision-making in farm management
• Digital production planning and monitoring
• Integration of digital tools into operational and strategic farm management models

• Investment Evaluation and Economic Impact of Innovation

  Learning Objectives

• Evaluate investments in digital and innovative technologies
• Measure economic impacts of new production processes

  Contents

• Investment decision-making in agriculture
• Cost–benefit analysis of digital technologies
• Capital budgeting methods
• Risk and uncertainty in agricultural investments
• Economic impact assessment of innovative production processes
• Sustainability-oriented investment evaluation (linked with True Cost Accounting, detailed explored in a different module)

  Digital Management Control, Traceability and Policy Tools

  Learning Objectives

• Organise farm operations using digital control tools
• Connect the company to external information and monitoring systems

  Contents

• Digital management control systems in agriculture
• Performance measurement using digital indicators
• Supply chain traceability systems and data integration
• Digital tools for quality certification and compliance
• Agricultural policy management systems (CAP tools, subsidies, monitoring platforms)
• Managing information flows, organizational change and training related to innovation

  Measuring Food Systems Sustainability (I): Life Cycle Thinking

  Learning Objectives

• Understand sustainability assessment in food and farming systems using life cycle thinking
• Analyse environmental, economic and social impacts across food system stages
• Interpret policy frameworks and stakeholder roles in smart and sustainable farming
• Apply integrated approaches to support evidence-based strategies

  Contents

• Food systems and sustainability: concepts and analytical frameworks
• Life Cycle Thinking (LCT) applied to agriculture and food systems
• Integrated assessment of environmental, economic and social impacts of food systems
• Key sustainability challenges in food systems: tool to improve economic, social, and environmental impacts

  Measuring Food Systems Sustainability (II): True Cost Accounting in Smart and Sustainable Farming

  Learning Objectives

• Understand the principles and evolution of True Cost Accounting (TCA)
• Identify and assess environmental, social and economic externalities in agriculture
• Integrate TCA into farm management and strategic decision-making
• Recognise the role of digital technologies in supporting TCA-based approaches

  Contents

• Concept and evolution of True Cost Accounting in agri-food systems
• Limits of conventional financial accounting in agriculture
• Identification of hidden costs and benefits:
  • Environmental externalities (climate, biodiversity, soil, water)
  • Social externalities (labour conditions, rural development, equity)
  • Health-related externalities (nutrition, exposure to pollutants)
• Methods and indicators for measuring and monetising externalities
• Integration of TCA into farm management, investment evaluation and policy analysis
  
• TCA as a decision-support tool for smart and sustainable farming strategies

Readings/Bibliography

Farm Management by R.D. Kay, W.M. Edwards, P.A. Duffy, Mc Graw Hill, 8th Edition


Managerial Accounting, by Garrison, Noreen, Brewer McGraw-Hill Education; 17 or 18 edition 

Slides, handount and articles suggested by the professor

Teaching methods

Front loaded and active learning methodologies; group and individual exercises; seminars and case studies.

Assessment methods

Students who attended at least 70% of the lectures will be required to produce a short report of around 3500 words. A concept note of the report will be validated with the professor. The final version of the report will be presented and discussed during the class, and will be evaluated by the professor.

The final grade for the module will be calculated thusly:

• In class grade: case analysis, articles revision and discussion, and other class activities (10% approximately)
• Report preparation in teams and discussion (30% approximately)
• Written exam: 60%

Non attending students will be requested to take a written exam and to produce a short report of around 3500 words. The report will be presented and discussed with the lecturer. The topic of the report should be agreed with the lecturer.

The final grade will be calculated thusly:

• Report and discussion (40% approximately)
• Written (60% approximately)

Students with Specific Learning Disorders (SLD) or temporary/permanent disabilities are strongly encouraged to contact the University support office in advance (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en). The office will be responsible for proposing any necessary accommodations to the students concerned. These accommodations must be submitted to the course instructor at least 15 days prior to the exam date for approval. The instructor will assess their appropriateness in light of the learning objectives of the course.

Office hours

See the website of Laura García Herrero