The course aims to provide students with an initial introduction to the aspects and issues of the economy and the agri-food market.
The marginalist approach is chosen in the study of microeconomics, so that through the analysis of consumers and firms, price definition in different market structures can be achieved.
Expected learning outcomes:
Knowledge and understanding: Acquisition of basic knowledge of microeconomic analysis, consumer theory, and firms.
Ability to apply knowledge and understanding: Ability to apply acquired economic concepts to economic analyses in the agri-food sector.
Making independent judgments: Critically considering the potential and limitations of the tools acquired in order to understand the main technical and economic issues of the agri-food system.
Communication skills: Ability to argue and present the skills acquired as a whole.
Learning ability: Ability to apply acquired knowledge, to develop a better understanding of economic and market problems and phenomena.
Elementary notions of algebra
The Fundamentals of agri-food economics course is divided into lectures and exercises.
Lectures accompany students in understanding the topics covered, and the exercises are intended to facilitate understanding and consolidation of learning and also to enable self-testing by the students themselves.
Assessment is based on an oral exam. Self-assessment tests may be administered during the course.
Student self-study: Independent student work involves individual study of the recommended texts and teaching materials indicated by the instructor.
The oral exam will be graded on the following scale:
Menozzi D., Economia del Sistema Agroalimentare, EdiSES, 2025.
Messori F., Istituzioni di Economia, Clueb Bologna, 1994.
Piga G., Lezioni di microeconomia, Giappichelli, 2023.
Sloman J., Garratt D., Microeconomia, edizione VI, il Mulino, 2022.
The course introduces the study of agri-food economics through microeconomics according to marginalist analysis, with particular reference to various market structures, price-setting mechanisms, and consumer and business theory.
The aim is to develop a foundational understanding of the agri-food system, especially considering the profound changes that have always characterized this important system in modern economies, particularly the Italian economy, in terms of both consumption and production patterns.
Assessment is based on an oral exam. Self-assessment tests may be administered during the course.
Student self-study: Independent student work involves individual study of the recommended texts and teaching materials indicated by the instructor.
