290051 Agricultural and Food Policy

Details
Responsible DepartmentInstitute of Food and Resource Economics

Earliest Possible YearMSc. 1 year to MSc. 2 year
DurationOne block
 
Credits7.5 (ECTS)
 
Level of CourseMSc
 
ExaminationContinuous Assessment

written examination and oral examination


Written Exam in Lecturehall

All aids allowed

Description of Examination: The Evaluation falls in three parts: First, student presentation of the level and composition of ag. support in a chosen county. Second, each student hands in an written answer to a chosen food policy case. Third, a 2-hours written examination

Weight: First, second and third part equals respectively 25, 25, and 50 percent



7-point scale, no second examiner

Dates of Exam:
07 April 2011
 
Organisation of TeachingLectures, colloquia, student presentations, and exercises
 
Block PlacementBlock 3
Week Structure: A
 
Language of InstructionEnglish
 
Optional PrerequisitesPublic Economics and Policy Analysis, Development Economics
 
Restrictionsnone
 
Course Content
The contents of this course fall in four parts: Fist part will focus on the role of the state in agriculture. According to welfare economics there are two arguments for government intervention in markets: Efficiency oriented arguments and non-efficiency oriented arguments. The former group includes correction of a long list of market failures witch in agriculture could be building and increasing the efficiency of product and factor markets, research and teaching, dealing with multifunctionality. The latter group is motivated by a concern with income consequences created by market outcome. In agriculture policies following these arguments are initiatives of poverty reduction, and income distribution. Second part deals with monitoring and evaluation of agricultural policy. The focus will be on various OECD measures of support like the Total Support Estimate (TSE) and Producer Support Estimate (PSE). The methodology will be used as an evaluation frame for analysis of the agricultural policy reform progress in various countries around the world. Third part focuses on explaining agricultural policy in OECD and non-OECD countries in relation to the questions of foundation, persistence, and reform process. The approach will be based on the methodology of New Economic History, Public Choice, and Public Finance. Forth part will discuss and analyze a large number of agricultural and Food policy measures in various countries and seek general lessons regarding the relationships between policies and effects while identifying ways of selecting the most effective measures in specific situations.
 
Teaching and learning Methods
The teaching is based on lectures that introduce the central and crucial elements of the curriculum. These central topics will further be touched upon in colloquias where the students will read, present and discuss various scientific articles.
 
Learning Outcome
Compared to other economic sectors the agricultural and food sector is highly regulated. An understanding of the economic rationale for this is therefore of importance for future decision makers. The learning outcome of this course is twofold: First, this course will further build analytical skills needed to understand and conduct graduate level analysis on agricultural and food policy issues in OECD and non-OECD countries. Second, this course will create familiarity with key institutions, historical developments, current policy debates, and give experience matching analysis methods with practical problems. After completing this course the student is expected to be able to:

Knowledge

. Identify the economic role of the state in relation to agriculture.
. Describe the OECD methodology for the measurement of support and use in policy evaluation.
. Show an overview of economic and political economy explanations of agricultural and food policy.

Skills

. Apply the OECD methodology for the measurement of support and use in policy evaluation to a specific country and present that analysis orally.
. Explain future developments in agricultural and food policies using economic and political economy analysis.
. Apply economic and political economy analysis methods with practical agricultural and food policy problems and present and communicate these both orally and in writing.

Competences

. Put the economic role of the state into the perspective of both developing and developed countries
. Make political economy considerations on the trade off between efficiency and equity both national and international
. Work independently and cooperate in groups on solving core aspects in agricultural and food policy
 
Course Literature
OECD (2007). Agricultural Policies in OECD Countries: Monitoring and Evaluation. OECD 2007. Paris.
OECD (2007). Agricultural Policies in Non-OECD Countries: Monitoring and Evaluation. OECD 2007. Paris.
World Bank (1997). The State in a Changing World. World Development Report 1997. World Bank. 1997. Washington D.C.
Various articles and book chapters

 
Course Coordinator
Henrik Zobbe, hz@foi.dk, Institute of Food and Resource Economics, Phone: 353-36810
 
Study Board
Study Committee NSN
 
Work Load
lectures42
preparation110
examination4
Colloquia50

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