Learning objectives
The course aims to achieve the following objectives in relation to:
to. Knowledge and understanding: The course aims to provide the main interpretative and management keys of the agri-food system and in particular of the strategies of farms
b. Ability to apply knowledge and understanding: the knowledge acquired will allow us to express judgments of convenience in the introduction of technical innovations and in the management choices of companies taking into account the dynamics of the agri-food supply chains.
c. Autonomy of judgment: the methodologies learned will allow to reach a high autonomy of judgment in the management economic field as it is based on objective analysis techniques
d. Communication skills. Development of relationship and communication skills with respect to the analysis of the structural data of the agri-food system
is. Ability to learn. The study method provided includes lectures, group work, individual analysis, discussion of the topics addressed in class
Prerequisites
- Mathematical methods for economics
- Business Economics
- Micro Economic
Course unit content
The course contents cover the issues of agricultural economics analyzed in a modern key that links the agri-food economy to the bio-economy. To this end, theoretical contents are proposed related to the agri-food economy, the bio-economy, the economy of production in agriculture, technical progress and more operational contents aimed at learning the structural and productive characteristics of the farm as well as the techniques. planning of agri-food companies using mathematical models and in particular through linear programming.
Full programme
The topics covered in the course concern the following aspects:
- Principles of bio-economy
- Economics of production processes in agriculture
- Production functions in agriculture
- The production plan in agriculture
- Risk and uncertainty
- technological progress
- the characters of the farm activity
- Linear programming (theory and practice)
Bibliography
Readings prepared by the teacher using articles and chapters in Italian and English
Quirino Paris (2016) An economic interpretation of linear programming, Palgrave Mc millian
Teaching methods
- Lectures;
- Computer exercises;
- Working group;
- Study tours
Assessment methods and criteria
- Group practice test. Students will have to describe the structural and / or economic characteristics of farms by describing the results through the use of poster presentation (rated up to 1/303 points).
- Written test. Students will have to know how to set up an optimization problem using linear programming (assessed 14.5 / 30) on quantitative aspects. Passing the test allows access to the oral exam
- Oral exam. The question concerns the whole program (evaluated 14.5 / 30)
Other information
The teaching activity will take place in the presence. However, the lessons will be recorded to allow for asynchronous use. To promote active participation in the course, various individual and small group activities will be proposed, through the use of the resources available in Elly, such as discussion forums
2030 agenda goals for sustainable development
The course meet several aspects of the 2030 Agenda and in particular those related to the generation of ecosystem services linked to agricultural activities covered in the following SDGs.#1, #2, #13
