Policies and Tools for the Sustainability of the Rural Territory
A.Y. 2026/2027
Learning objectives
The course aims to provide students with the necessary tools to understand the dynamics characterizing rural areas, with particular reference to the agricultural sector, given its importance in land management. The course also aims to provide the student with an overall overview of the role played by the agricultural sector in the economy and management of rural areas and how this can be declined and influenced by agricultural and agri-environmental policy choices.
Expected learning outcomes
The expected learning outcomes concern:
· The understanding of the different meanings of the concept of rurality;
· Understanding the logics that govern agricultural activity;
· Awareness of the multiple functions (productive, environmental and territorial) of agricultural activity.
· Knowledge of data sources describing the agricultural sector;
· Knowledge of the main agricultural policy and rural development tools of the European Union, with particular reference to their territorial effects.
· The understanding of the different meanings of the concept of rurality;
· Understanding the logics that govern agricultural activity;
· Awareness of the multiple functions (productive, environmental and territorial) of agricultural activity.
· Knowledge of data sources describing the agricultural sector;
· Knowledge of the main agricultural policy and rural development tools of the European Union, with particular reference to their territorial effects.
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
First part of the course - Prof. Daniele Cavicchioli
Agriculture, sustainability and agri-food systems.
Role of agriculture in rural land management and in the production of goods and services. Relationships between agricultural activities, natural resources and environmental, economic and social sustainability.
Agricultural production and farming systems.
Biological, agronomic and ecological principles of agricultural production. Cropping and livestock systems, soil, water and nutrient management, crop protection and major innovations supporting sustainable agricultural production.
Natural resources, environment and innovation.
Use of natural resources, nutrient cycles, environmental impacts of agriculture and strategies to improve production efficiency while reducing environmental impacts.
Agriculture as an economic activity.
The agricultural farm, production factors, main farm classifications, production costs, farm income and profit. Economies of scale, technological innovation and their effects on agricultural production, farm performance and agri-food markets.
Second part of the course - Prof. Danilo Bertoni
Evolution of agricultural policies and of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). Objectives, instruments and major CAP reforms. Direct payments, conditionality, green architecture, eco-schemes, rural development and the Italian CAP Strategic Plan 2023-2027. Future perspectives of European agricultural policies.
Agriculture, sustainability and agri-food systems.
Role of agriculture in rural land management and in the production of goods and services. Relationships between agricultural activities, natural resources and environmental, economic and social sustainability.
Agricultural production and farming systems.
Biological, agronomic and ecological principles of agricultural production. Cropping and livestock systems, soil, water and nutrient management, crop protection and major innovations supporting sustainable agricultural production.
Natural resources, environment and innovation.
Use of natural resources, nutrient cycles, environmental impacts of agriculture and strategies to improve production efficiency while reducing environmental impacts.
Agriculture as an economic activity.
The agricultural farm, production factors, main farm classifications, production costs, farm income and profit. Economies of scale, technological innovation and their effects on agricultural production, farm performance and agri-food markets.
Second part of the course - Prof. Danilo Bertoni
Evolution of agricultural policies and of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). Objectives, instruments and major CAP reforms. Direct payments, conditionality, green architecture, eco-schemes, rural development and the Italian CAP Strategic Plan 2023-2027. Future perspectives of European agricultural policies.
Prerequisites for admission
Knowledge of chemistry and biology underlying the functioning of living beings, also provided by the previous semester's Ecology course. These concepts will however be recalled during the course lectures. Such knowledge is necessary to understand the functioning of the agricultural sector as a central actor in the rural area.
Ability to read, understand and interpret concepts expressed in graphic, tabular and simple formulae form. Ability to interoperate the formulation of concepts between verbal language, graphic language (graphs and tables) and analytical language (formulae).
Knowledge of basic economic concepts (demand, supply and market equilibrium) is recommended.
Ability to read, understand and interpret concepts expressed in graphic, tabular and simple formulae form. Ability to interoperate the formulation of concepts between verbal language, graphic language (graphs and tables) and analytical language (formulae).
Knowledge of basic economic concepts (demand, supply and market equilibrium) is recommended.
Teaching methods
Lectures and seminars by external experts.
Teaching Resources
1) Slides provided by the teachers
2) LinformaPAC - Evoluzione delle politiche agricole e attuale riforma della PAC, Informatore Agrario, Edagricole, 2024 (available on MyAriel platform of the course)
3) Sotte, Franco (2021). "La politica agricola europea." Storia e analisi. Collana Economia Applicata, Agriregionieuropa-Associazione Alessandro Bartola, Ancona. Scaricabile gratuitamente previa registrazione dal sito https://agriregionieuropa.univpm.it/it
4) Coldiretti, Divulga (2023), Dove sta andando la PAC. Il PSP dell'Italia 2023-2027. Linee guida
available online:
https://giovanimpresa.coldiretti.it/notizie/attualita/pub/la-prima-pubblicazione-sulla-nuova-pac-italiana
5) Coldiretti, Divulga (2024), Dove sta andando la PAC. Il PSP dell'Italia 2023-2027. Primo anno di applicazione
available online:
https://giovanimpresa.coldiretti.it/senza-categoria/online-la-nuova-pubblicazione-sulla-pac-tutto-quello-che-occorre-sapere-dopo-il-primo-anno-di-applicazione/
2) LinformaPAC - Evoluzione delle politiche agricole e attuale riforma della PAC, Informatore Agrario, Edagricole, 2024 (available on MyAriel platform of the course)
3) Sotte, Franco (2021). "La politica agricola europea." Storia e analisi. Collana Economia Applicata, Agriregionieuropa-Associazione Alessandro Bartola, Ancona. Scaricabile gratuitamente previa registrazione dal sito https://agriregionieuropa.univpm.it/it
4) Coldiretti, Divulga (2023), Dove sta andando la PAC. Il PSP dell'Italia 2023-2027. Linee guida
available online:
https://giovanimpresa.coldiretti.it/notizie/attualita/pub/la-prima-pubblicazione-sulla-nuova-pac-italiana
5) Coldiretti, Divulga (2024), Dove sta andando la PAC. Il PSP dell'Italia 2023-2027. Primo anno di applicazione
available online:
https://giovanimpresa.coldiretti.it/senza-categoria/online-la-nuova-pubblicazione-sulla-pac-tutto-quello-che-occorre-sapere-dopo-il-primo-anno-di-applicazione/
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exam will be written and composed of four open questions, two for each part of the program covered by each teacher. The maxium mark for each open question is 8 points. The overall mark will be the sum of the marks awarded by each of the two teachers. Honors are awarded if the overall mark exceeds 30/30. The assessment methods are the same for both attending and non-attending students.
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).
AGRI-01/A - Agricultural and Food Economics, and Rural Appraisal - University credits: 6
Lessons: 48 hours
Professors:
Bertoni Danilo, Cavicchioli Daniele
Professor(s)
Reception:
Contact the teacher by email to arrange an appointment
Department of Environmental Science and Policy (third floor, via Celoria 2)
Reception:
by appointment
Department of Environmental Science and Policy (Via Celoria, 2; 3rd floor)