85627 - Animal Production Economics and Policy

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, student knowledge in this field covers: basic concepts of agricultural policy and other policies related to animal keeping and food production; basic concepts of economics applied to policy evaluation and of evaluation process. Students can approach, reason and solve simple problems of economic evaluation of policy measures at firm, supply chain and system level. Finally Students can individually update their learning learning, including in particular methodologic innovation in the field of economic evaluation of policies

Course contents

Animal production economics

Notes of supply chain economics based on complex network concept. Supply chain segments (production, processing, marketing, consumption), critical points (production activities) and relationships.  (flux among points). The Value Chain. Integration along milk and meat supply chains (different species). Structural analisys of supply chain segments. and dominance phenomena. Case studies analysis. Supply chains of certified products (DPO, PGI, biological, etc.). The role of packaging.

Agricultural Policy

1. The Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). Trends in the CAP: Models and intervention mechanisms

2. Relevant policy measures for animal production sectors, by animal species and sectors. Other relevant policies directly and indirectly affecting animal production sectors.

3. Economic analysis of the CAP for animal production. Basic economic concepts in policy analysis. Farm level approach. Aggregate level approach (sector, food supply chain, agro-food system). 

4. Case study approach to policy analysis based on participatory methods

Readings/Bibliography

- Fanfani F. (1998) Lo sviluppo della politica agricola comune. Il Carroccio Ed., Roma

- Hoffman A. (2006) La nuova politica di sviluppo rurale. Franco Angeli Ed. Milano

Hoffman A. (2006) Il modello delle politiche agricole. Franco Angeli Ed. Milano

- Evaluating EU Activities. An Introduction. The European Commission, Brussels, 2005

- Downloadable material from DG Agriculture and Rural Development, DG Health and Food Safety, EURLEX and other sites related to food and agriculture.

Papers from specialised on line reviews (e.g.: AgriRegioniEuropa: https://agriregionieuropa.univpm.it/it ; Gruppo 2013: https://www.gruppo2013.it/Pagine/default.aspx)

Evaluation reports (e.g.: Study on the socio-economic implications of different aspects of farming weaners and pigs kept for fattening. Aragrande M. et Al. DG SANCO, 2005)

Teachers' notes and materials

Teaching methods

Front classes, slide projection, IT support.

Individual and/or student team work.

Development of interactive session

 

Assessment methods

Oral examination

The Candidate evaluation is based on: a) understanding of the issues treated during the course; b) critical elaboration of specific issues; c) implementation of basic concepts and methods; d) synthesis and communication of structured problem analysis.

A deep and complete knowledge of the themes, high critical aptitude through functional links, firm language skills will receive top level note (30-30/30 cum laude).

Deep knowledge of the themes, good analytical capacity, language skills will be awarded of high grade (27-29/30).

Technically adequate, though not extended knowledge and correct language will receive medium notes (23-26/30).

Minimal and sufficient analytical skills, with just correct language will be sufficient to pass the examination (18-22/30)

Examination access is free. The examination will last at least 30 minutes. Personal assistance is not allowed unless for the entitled students. Students can book for the examination exclusively through on line AlmaEsami procedure

Teaching tools

Power point presentations

Web sites (European Commission, DG AGRI (https://ec.europa.eu/agriculture/index_it ); EURLEX (https://europa.eu/european-union/index_it ); European Parliament, Agriculture and Rural Development Commission (http://www.europarl.europa.eu/committees/it/agri/home.html ))

Textbook and published papers

Students' works (if complying with and adequate to the aim of the course)

Office hours

See the website of Maurizio Aragrande

See the website of Piero Augusto Nasuelli