28454 - Appraisal and Management of Greenhouse Firms and Farms

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, students acquire the basic knowledge of the main tools for the economic management of companies operating in a dynamic social context, characterized by a marked uncertainty and rapid technological evolution and by the continuous change of the socio-economic framework. The student is able to apply the economic-management tools to support business decisions, with particular reference to those applicable to the nursery sector, as well as those related to the design and maintenance of green areas. It is also able to know the main evaluation criteria to be applied in rural, cadastral, legal and environmental valuation, and can formulate estimates and final financial statements relating to green area projects. Finally, the student acquires the fundamental knowledge relating to the industry-specific legislation and professional ethics.

Course contents

Module 1 - VIVAISTIC AND AGROFORESTAL APPRAISAL

Didactic Unit 1 (18 hours)

1. General value

1.1. Characteristics of the valuation judgement

1.2. Economic aspects and estimation criteria. Main valuation criteria and derivatives

1.3. Estimation procedure

2. Rural and cadastral appraisal

2.1. The Land and Building Cadastre: objectives, census and cadastral records

2.2. Revision of the cadastre

3. Rural appraisal

3.1. Valuation of rural funds

3.2. Valuation of land improvements

3.3. Valuation of pendant fruits and estimation of tree crops for income

3.4. Valuation of forests

3.5. Valuation of ornamental plants and their damage

3.6. Valuation of rural buildings

4. Legal appraisal

4.1. Valuation of predial easements

4.2. Valuation of the right of emphyteusis and usufruct

4.3. Valuation of expropriations for public benefit works

5. Environmental valuation

5.1. Externalities

5.2. Evaluation of environmental assets: indirect and direct evaluation criteria

Knowledge acquired unit 1

(a) Knowledge of the correct theoretical approach for the assessment of economic assets in the agricultural and forestry sector, as well as environmental assets

b) Understands and knows how to apply estimation criteria to the main case studies that may affect the professional activity of a junior agronomist estimator

c) it is able to support with valid theoretical and applicative arguments the resolution of cases of estimate, with particular reference to those concerning the ornamental green and the environment

Unit 2

2. Exercises (12 hours)

2.1. Exercises on cadastral valuation

2.2. Exercise on special valuation

2.2.1. Exercise on the valuation of rural funds

2.2.2. Exercises on the valuation of pending fruits

2.2.3. Exercise on the evaluation of ornamental plants

2.2.4. Damage valuation exercise

2.2.5.Exercise on the evaluation of environmental assets


Knowledge acquired unit 2

(a) Correct approach to concrete cases of an estimative nature

(b) Mastery of the estimation criteria and the related procedures for making detailed estimation judgements

(c) Ability to apply tools designed to solve estimation case studies

 

Module 2 - MANAGEMENT OF VIVAISTIC AND AGROFORESTAL ENTERPRISES

Teaching unit 1 (6 hours)

1. Elements of financial calculation

1.1 Capital, interest and discount

1.2. Periodicity

1.2.1. Annuality

1.2.2. Multiannuality

Knowledge acquired unit 1

a) Knowledge of the correct mathematical-financial approach with regard to the areas covered in the course

(b) Understands the financial calculation formulae and is able to apply them to specific concrete problems

(c) it shall support with appropriate theoretical arguments the use of financial formulae applied to the field of estimation

Teaching unit 2 (12 hours)

2. Management of nursery and agro-forestry enterprises

2.1. Company and enterprise

2.1.1. The agricultural firm

2.1.2. The nursery and agro-forestry enterprise

2.2. External and internal information sources and management of company databases

External and internal sources. Training and use of databases for administrative and management purposes

2.2.2. Accounting as a form of internal information. General accounts, industrial accounts, ancillary accounts and tax accounts

2.3. The basic economic quantities: wealth and income

2.4. Business costs, their classification and use

2.5. Balance sheet

Knowledge acquired unit 2

(a) Knowledge of the correct administrative-accounting approach for green businesses

b) Understands the ratio of assets and income, knows the business costs and is able to read a financial statements for the year

c) it is able to support with appropriate theoretical and applied arguments the fundamentals of good business administration for the companies of reference

Unit 3

3. Exercises (12 hours)

3.1. Exercises on financial calculation

3.2. Exercise on business management

3.2.1. Exercise on the valuation of farm assets

3.2.2. Exercises on the financial statements

Knowledge acquired units 3

(a) Correct approach to concrete cases of a financial and administrative-management nature

b) Mastery of the administrative-managerial instruments and the relative procedures for the administrative-managerial control of the reference companies

c) Ability to apply the tools designed to solve business management case studies.

 

Training prerequisites

For this teaching the student must have good foundations in mathematics, statistics and agricultural economics. This knowledge is acquired by means of the basic teachings of the first year of the degree program.

Readings/Bibliography

At the end of the course the teacher will provide the students specific educational materials (electronic and paper) which integrates the notes taken during the lectures.

The following references are also recommended:

1. Robert N. Anthony, David F. Hawkins, Diego M. Macrì, Kenneth A. Merchant - Sistemi di controllo – Analisi economiche per le decisioni aziendali, McGraw-Hill, 2008

2. V. Gallerani – Manuale di estimo, McGraw-Hill, 2011

Teaching methods

The course is divided into four teaching units of which the first three are theoretical and consist of lectures, while the fourth is made up of specific exercises.

Assessment methods

The learning assessment takes place through a final exam which ensures the acquisition of the expected knowledge and skills by an oral exam at the end of the course.

Teaching tools

Whiteboard, projector, computer, internet access.

Office hours

See the website of Maurizio Canavari

See the website of Davide Viaggi