60
Agricultural and Food Economics, and Rural Appraisal
REGGIO DI CALABRIA
Overview
Date/time interval
Syllabus
Course Objectives
"The aim of the teaching is to provide knowledge about the economic characteristics of the agricultural sector and farms. In addition, possible agricultural policy measures will be analysed in the light of the newly emerging concepts of sustainability and multifunctionality in agriculture. Emphasis will be placed on the examination of the basic principles of agricultural economics, with particular emphasis on the definition of the concepts of sustainability and multifunctionality in agriculture. The main aspects of farm economics will also be explored, along with the analysis of agricultural policies that can be adopted. Finally, the evolution and current status of the Common Agricultural Policy will be studied."
Course Prerequisites
Basic knowledge of economics (micro and macro). Knowledge of supply and demand models and market forms.
Teaching Methods
Lectures supported by the use of IT tools;
Exercises on statistical databases to explore particular themes and learn the methodology for analysing the agri-food sector
Seminars on topical cases relevant to the topics covered
Assessment Methods
Written in-progress tests
The assessment of the student’s acquired knowledge consists of an oral exam, aimed at assessing the student’s understanding of the subject matter, their ability to connect and summarize it in a concise, complete, organized, and structured manner, using technical and formally correct vocabulary. The oral exam will be graded on the following scale.
30-30 with honors. Complete, detailed, and in-depth knowledge of the subject matter, with correct terminology. Excellent understanding, distinguishing key points and developing interdisciplinary connections. Consolidated ability to apply knowledge and analyze results. Clear, structured, logical, and concise presentation.
28-29: In-depth knowledge, correct terminology, and explanation of the main concepts. Solid understanding, framing of key points, and discussion with individual insights. Excellent ability to apply knowledge and analyze results. Clear, articulate, logical, and mature presentation, albeit with some inaccuracies.
25-27: Extensive knowledge, although without fully explaining the relevant content. Use of terminology, not always accurate, identifying key concepts. Adequate understanding, distinguishing key points without fully framing them. Good ability to apply knowledge. Clear presentation, but not always complete, with schematic organization and sometimes fragmented thoughts.
22-24: Acceptable knowledge, albeit with gaps and some confusion in certain concepts. Essential understanding, not always framing the topics or inaccurate. Fair ability to apply fundamental concepts. Correct presentation, but without a clear and coherent structure, including irrelevant material.
18-21: Limited knowledge, with numerous gaps and an inability to illustrate key concepts completely and accurately. Basic understanding, with difficulty distinguishing and framing key points correctly. Uncertainty in applying the fundamental concepts of the subject.
Fail: Poor, fragmented, and incomplete knowledge, lacking essential content. Serious errors in comprehension, failure to answer numerous questions, and failure to identify key concepts. Errors in applying fundamental concepts, failure to achieve an acceptable level of articulation of thought.
Texts
- Sotte F. (2023). La politica agricola europea. Storia e analisi. Firenze : Firenze University Press, 2023. (Manuali – Scienze Tecnologiche ; 10) DOI: 10.36253/979-12-215-0076-9
- Sotte F. (2021). La politica agricola europea. Storia e analisi. Agriregionieuropa Collana Economia Applicata. Associazione Alessandro Bartola Studi e ricerche di economia e di politica agraria. ISBN: 978-88-940629-8-4.
- Pareglio S. (2007). Agricoltura, sviluppo rurale e politica regionale dell’Unione Europea. Profili concorrenti nella programmazione e nella pianificazione dei territori rurali. Franco Angeli editore.
- Supplementary material https://e-learning.unirc.it/
Contents
Course objectives
The course aims to provide students with a solid understanding of the evolution of the Common Agricultural Policy, from its origins to its most recent reforms, with particular attention to market regulation mechanisms, direct payments, and rural development policies. By examining the various stages of the CAP, the development of risk‑management tools, and the national measures supporting the agricultural sector, students will develop the ability to interpret the effects of public policies on primary production. The course also seeks to foster a critical understanding of the economic and social dynamics shaping youth entrepreneurship in agriculture and of the broader economic and environmental challenges facing contemporary European agriculture.
Programme
- The origins and development of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).
- The evolution of market policy in the CAP. The forms of price control, market and income stabilisation (agricultural price support mechanisms; Common Market Organisations - CMOs).
- The phases and evolution of the CAP: from the Mac Sharry Reform of 1992 to the Fischler Reform of 2003.
- Evolution of the Rural Development Policy (rural development and economic and social cohesion; the Structural Funds reforms; the Leader Community Initiative).
- The CAP in the 2007-2013 programming period (EC Reg. No 1290/2005 on the financing of the CAP; EC Reg. No 1698/2005 on the new European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development). EC Reg. No 1234/2007 on the Single CMO. Health Check of the CAP and the new challenges of Rural Development.
- The CAP Reform 2014-2020: Direct Payments (Reg. (EU) 1307/2013); Single CMO (Reg. (EU) 1308/2013); Rural Development Policy (Reg. (EU) 1305/2013). The regional intervention instruments for agricultural and rural development: The Rural Development Programme (RDP) Calabria 2014/2020.
- The CAP Reform 2023-2027: The European Green Deal and the "From Farm to Fork" Strategy; The National Strategic Plan (NSP) (Reg. (EU) 2021/2115): Direct Payments, Sectoral Interventions, Rural Development Policy; Single CMO (Reg. (EU) 2021/2117).
- The New CAP 2028–2034: An analysis of the content of the new reform
- The Risk Management Policy in the 2014/2020 and 2023/2027 programming.
- The National Agricultural Policy: State Aid for Agriculture and Rural Areas.
- Youth entrepreneurship in agriculture.
Expected results
1. Knowledge and Understanding
Students will acquire:
- an understanding of the fundamental principles of Agricultural Policy, including the international and European regulatory framework and the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP);
- knowledge of the economic dynamics governing the agri‑food sector and its supply chains, as well as the functioning of agricultural and food product markets.
2. Applying Knowledge and Understanding
Students will be able to:
- interpret the main economic phenomena affecting the agri‑food sector;
- analyse firm behaviour and market dynamics in relation to different policy scenarios;
- assess the impact of public policies on agricultural and agri‑food enterprises;
- apply economic analysis tools, including investment planning methods and agricultural business financial analysis.
3. Making Judgements
Students will demonstrate the ability to:
- critically interpret trends in agri‑food markets and autonomously evaluate entrepreneurial strategies;
- identify effective strategies to enhance the competitiveness of agri‑food products and enterprises;
- recognise obstacles, risks and threats to firms’ competitive positioning;
- evaluate the economic, environmental and social implications of policy measures and business decisions.
4. Communication Skills
Students will develop:
- the ability to clearly and effectively communicate economic phenomena and agricultural policy issues using appropriate technical terminology;
- the capacity to address both specialist and non‑specialist audiences.
5. Learning Skills
Students will be able to:
- independently update and deepen their knowledge;
- follow and interpret the evolution of agricultural policies, EU regulations and the opportunities arising from their implementation;
- collect and analyse data concerning new trends in the agri‑food sector and rural development.
More information
Supporting teaching materials provided by the lecturer