All programmes > Course: Agricultural Economics and Food Policy in Developing Countries

Agricultural Economics and Food Policy in Developing Countries (B-KUL-I0Q23A)

5.0 ECTS English 39.0 First termFirst term Introductory
Maertens Miet (coordinator) |  Maertens Miet |  Tollens Eric
POC Master Bio-ingenieurswetenschappen

Aims

Students are familiar with specific concepts of agricultural economics and food policy. Students understand the meaning of agricultural development, are aware of the constraints to agricultural development in poor countries and understand the importance of agricultural research, technological innovation, productivity, market development, ... in agricultural development. Students understand the decision-making behaviour of farm-households in developing countries. Students understand the role of agriculture in broader economic development, poverty reduction and food security. Students understand the linkages between agricultural and non-agricultural sectors. Students are acquainted with the agricultural and food policies in developing countries and the development implications of policy reforms. Students understand how recent developments in world food markets affect developing countries. Students are able to read and critically assess scientific literature on the subject of agricultural economics and food policy in developing countries.

Previous knowledge

Students have a basic knowledge of economics. Students have had at least an introductory course in economics.

Content

Look at the activities of this course

Course material

Toledo / e-platform
Articles and literature
Slides, transparencies, courseware

Order of Enrolment


This course unit is a prerequisite for taking the following course units:
I0S36A : Integrated Project Tropical Production Systems

Is also included in other courses

Activities

5.0 ects. Agricultural Economics and Food Policy in Developing Countries (B-KUL-I0Q23a)

5.0 ECTS English 39.0 First termFirst term
Maertens Miet |  Tollens Eric
POC Master Bio-ingenieurswetenschappen

Content

- Economic development and the (historical and comparative) role of agriculture in economic development
- Theories of agricultural development
- Opportunities and constraints for agricultural development: agricultural research, agricutural extension, technological change, market development, ...
- Rural development: linkages between farm and non-farm sectors
- Modeling agricultural production and farm productivity
- Modeling farm-household decision-making
- Agricultural policies and market reform in developing countries
- Food security and agriculture
- Gender in agricultural development
- World food markets, trade policies and developing countries
- Discussion on specific actual topics: food crisis versus food security crisis, agriculture and climate change, ..... (topics to be determined during the semester)  

Aims

Look at the course

Description of learning activities

- Weekly three-hour lectures during the second semester
- Written paper of max 2500 words to be handed in at the end of the semester; a selection of specific topics from which to choose is given at the beginning of the semester

Course material

The course material includes
- PowerPoint slides and course notes
- Specified articles and scientific literature as key course material
- Specified articles and scientific literature as optional background material

Evaluation

Evaluation : Agricultural Economics and Food Policy in Developing Countries (B-KUL-I2Q23a)

Mode of evaluation : Oral with written preparation
Category : final examination during examination period
Type of evaluation : Closed book, Paper

Explanation

The evaluation of the course unit 'Agricultural Economics and Food Policy in Developing Countries' consists of:
 
(a) One paper
Students will write a paper of maximum 2500 words during the semester. Papers need to be written on a specific topic and a list of topics to choose from is given at the beginning of the semester.
 
(b) One exam
There is an oral, closed book examination during the normal exam period in which students need to answer two to five broad questions to show their understanding and detailed knowledge of the course material and concepts. The oral exam will take maximum 30 minutes with a written preparation of between 20 minutes and 1 hour.
 
The written paper weighs for 1/3 and the oral exam for 2/3 of the final mark.