Economics and Organization of the Agri-Food System
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
The teaching aims to:
· introduce the students to the principles of agricultural system economics;
· illustrate the factors regulating business choices;
· increasing the students' awareness of the European agricultural policy tools.
· introduce the students to the principles of agricultural system economics;
· illustrate the factors regulating business choices;
· increasing the students' awareness of the European agricultural policy tools.
Expected learning outcomes
Expected learning outcomes
The students:
· will understand the main dynamics regulating the agricultural sector and agri-food supply chains;
· will apply evaluation tools and will be able to operate in agri-food enterprises;
· will be able to elaborate written reports.
The students:
· will understand the main dynamics regulating the agricultural sector and agri-food supply chains;
· will apply evaluation tools and will be able to operate in agri-food enterprises;
· will be able to elaborate written reports.
Lesson period: Second semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
ECTS n.1. The agricultural sector in Italy, definition of the supply chain, the main production chains, the players in the supply chains, the relationship between agriculture and the environment. Characteristics of agri-food productions, the role of technological innovations. Economic data agro-food systems: databases and uses.
ECTS n.2. Demand and supply of goods, price determination, market equilibrium. Theory of demand: marginal utility, indifference curves, budget line, and consumer optimum. Definition and methods of measuring demand elasticity with respect to price and income. Markets and adjustments over time; markets with controlled prices: setting of price ceilings and price floors.
ECTS n.3. Theory of production: production function, factors of production, law of diminishing returns, isoquants and isocosts, economies of scale. Theory of supply: production costs, fixed and variable costs, firm and market supply curves, price elasticity of supply. Revenue and profit maximization. Market structures: perfect competition, monopoly, oligopoly, monopolistic competition. Market failures and public intervention.
ECTS n.4. Agricultural enterprise: definition, characteristics and business typologies. Production factors, their organization and structure within production processes. Entrepreneural choices: targets and constraints. Rationale and tools for the assessment of business choices and production outcomes: convenience-based assessment, balance sheet and cost analysis.
The agri-food company: definitions and characteristics. Company typologies. The production factors. Business choices: objectives and constraints. Organization of production factors and structure of production processes. Evaluation of choices and results of production processes: logic, tools. Application and case studies.
ECTS n.5. The agricultural policy: definitions and contextual framework. The Community Agricultural Policy 2023-2027.
ECTS n.6. Rural development policy 2023-2027: objectives and tools. Opportunities and financing mechanisms of digital technologies and innovative tools for agricultural entrepreneurs.
ECTS n.2. Demand and supply of goods, price determination, market equilibrium. Theory of demand: marginal utility, indifference curves, budget line, and consumer optimum. Definition and methods of measuring demand elasticity with respect to price and income. Markets and adjustments over time; markets with controlled prices: setting of price ceilings and price floors.
ECTS n.3. Theory of production: production function, factors of production, law of diminishing returns, isoquants and isocosts, economies of scale. Theory of supply: production costs, fixed and variable costs, firm and market supply curves, price elasticity of supply. Revenue and profit maximization. Market structures: perfect competition, monopoly, oligopoly, monopolistic competition. Market failures and public intervention.
ECTS n.4. Agricultural enterprise: definition, characteristics and business typologies. Production factors, their organization and structure within production processes. Entrepreneural choices: targets and constraints. Rationale and tools for the assessment of business choices and production outcomes: convenience-based assessment, balance sheet and cost analysis.
The agri-food company: definitions and characteristics. Company typologies. The production factors. Business choices: objectives and constraints. Organization of production factors and structure of production processes. Evaluation of choices and results of production processes: logic, tools. Application and case studies.
ECTS n.5. The agricultural policy: definitions and contextual framework. The Community Agricultural Policy 2023-2027.
ECTS n.6. Rural development policy 2023-2027: objectives and tools. Opportunities and financing mechanisms of digital technologies and innovative tools for agricultural entrepreneurs.
Prerequisites for admission
No needed prerequisites for admission.
Teaching methods
Lectures and application of methodologies and use of databases for individual case studies; workshops.
Attendance is strongly recommended.
Attendance is strongly recommended.
Teaching Resources
Recommended Texts:
Sloman J., Garratt D. - Essentials of Economics, Pearson (also available in Kindle edition).
Mankiw N.G., Essentials of economics, Pearson.
Supplementary material and slides of the lessons are available on MyAriel Platform.
Sloman J., Garratt D. - Essentials of Economics, Pearson (also available in Kindle edition).
Mankiw N.G., Essentials of economics, Pearson.
Supplementary material and slides of the lessons are available on MyAriel Platform.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exam is written and consists of closed questions (20 points) and open questions (3 questions, 10 points). The duration is 75 minutes.The closed questions assess the general knowledge and understanding of the economic concepts studied, while the open questions allow for verification of the students' comprehension and elaboration of the concepts. Specifically, the assessment will focus on the clarity of the exposition, the relevance of the content, and the critical ability to elaborate and express written responses.
Students with SLD or disability certifications are kindly requested to contact the teacher at least 15 days before the date of the exam session to agree on individual exam requirements. In the email please make sure to add in cc the competent offices: [email protected] (for students with SLD) o [email protected] (for students with disability).
Students with SLD or disability certifications are kindly requested to contact the teacher at least 15 days before the date of the exam session to agree on individual exam requirements. In the email please make sure to add in cc the competent offices: [email protected] (for students with SLD) o [email protected] (for students with disability).
AGR/01 - AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS AND RURAL APPRAISAL - University credits: 6
Lessons: 48 hours
Professor(s)
Reception:
By appointment.
Celoria 2, Engineering building, office tel. 16488
Reception:
By appointment with schedules to be agreed
Reception:
Su appuntamento
Edificio 21100, ufficio R002