B6091 - ECONOMIA AGRARIA ED ESTIMO

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course, students will have acquired the theoretical tools to develop a critical understanding of the main national and international economic issues, enabling them to form sound judgements on macroeconomic issues. By the end of the course, students will be familiar with the business management tools required for the efficient planning of production and the agri-food supply chain. In particular, students will be able to solve microeconomic problems, will be familiar with business management methods, and will understand EU agricultural policies. With regard to valuation, by the end of the course, students will be able to tackle professional challenges relating to the economic valuation of economic and environmental assets associated with agricultural and livestock farming activities. The guiding principles of the discipline will also be examined critically with a view to adapting them to emerging issues.

Course contents

Module 1: Agri-food Policies and EMFF (30 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

Written and oral examination

Registration for the examination takes place exclusively via Alma Esami, once the examination sessions have been published. Online examinations will be conducted via the platforms made available by UNIBO; students will be invited to sit the examination directly from the registration list on Alma Esami and will receive a notification (connection link) by email, generated by the system.

The use of study materials and calculators is not permitted during the examinations

The marks for individual modules will contribute to the final mark in proportion to the credits awarded.

MARKING SCHEME (WRITTEN EXAMINATION)

2 marks for each multiple-choice answer out of 10 questions

5 marks for each open-ended answer out of 2 open-ended questions

No marks are deducted for incorrect answers

MARKING SCHEME (ORAL EXAM)

A very thorough understanding of the topics covered in the course, combined with strong critical analysis and synthesis skills, and a confident command of the specific terminology, will be awarded the maximum mark (30–30L).

A thorough knowledge of the topics covered in the course, combined with good analytical and critical skills and a confident command of the specific terminology, will be awarded good marks (27–29).

Technically adequate knowledge and sufficient analytical skills, even if not particularly well-articulated, expressed in correct language, will result in fair marks (23–26).

Sufficient knowledge and analytical skills, expressed in language that is barely formally correct, will result in a pass (18–22).

Students have the right to reject a proposed mark once it has been communicated, even if it is a pass (University Teaching Regulations, Art. 16, paragraph 5).

 

ASSESSMENT OF STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS

 

Particular attention will be paid to the assessment of students certified under Law 104/90 and Law 170/2010, or students recognised as having special educational needs. These students must contact the lecturer by email (cc’ing staff at the central offices for students with disabilities or with specific learning difficulties at the university (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/it)). The person responsible for this service in our Department is Dr Fabiana Trombetti.

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