Basic concepts on agriculture and agricultural economics.
The evolution of agriculture: from productivism to rural devleopment.
The evolution of the Common Agricultural Policy and its implications.
Quality and security of agrofood products. Information problems and quality signalling. Quality standards and certification.
Strategies of valorisation of local, typical, environmentally friendly and ethical products on local and international markets.
Agri-tourism and rural tourism.
ACQUIRED COMPETENCIES AFTER THE COURSE:
Ability to analyse, interpretate, and describe the characteristics and the dynamics of agri-food quality systems in the light of the evolution of production and consumption models in developed countries.
Ability to critically analyse the effects of both public and private quality regulation policies on the firm and local production systems.
Ability in implementing a valorisation strategy and plan with regards to local, typical and traditional food products.
Prerequisites
No pre-requisites. Suggested: Marketing (basic concepts), and any other basic course related to Agricultural Economics.
Teaching Methods
Lectures, seminars, case-study analysis, individual or collective exercises
Further information
The course will be held from March to May.
Type of Assessment
oral exam
Course program
1. Agricultural supply and food demand. The specificities of agricultural activities: production processes, agricultural sector structure and farms characteristics. Farmers' behaviour on the market. Price variability.
2. The evolution of agricultural production model and consumption model in advanced economies. Modernisation and new development model in agri-food system.
3. Information problems and quality signalling. The specificity of the quality issue in agriculture and food. Traceability, labelling, quality standards and certification.
4. Valorisation strategies of local, typical, environmentally friendly and ethical products on local and international markets. The protection of Geographical Indications and its economic, social, and environmental effects. Short supply-chains: farmers' markets, solidarity purchasing groups, community-supported agriculture, box schemes. Firm marketing and collective marketing. Territorial marketing and tourism networks. Case study analysis
5. Agri-tourism and rural tourism: characteristics and evolution.