All programmes > Agricultural Economics and Development in an International Perspective

Agricultural Economics and Development in an International Perspective (B-KUL-I0Q23B)

6 ECTSEnglish50 First termCannot be taken as part of an examination contract
Maertens Miet
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Aims

Students are familiar with specific dimensions, concepts and facts of world food systems and development problems. Students have insights on the specificities of demand and supply of food, and of farm-household decision-making in a context of imperfect markets. Students understand the process of economic growth and economic transformation, and can reason about the role of agriculture in development, based on theoretical insights and examples. Students understand the strategies and constraints for agricultural growth and development, and can place the agricultural system in the environmental, institutional and policy context. Students understand the complex international trade and economic relations that shape the agricultural development process in low- and middle-income countries.   

Students are able to read and extract the core insights from key scientific sources on the subject of agricultural economics and food policy in developing countries.

Previous knowledge

Knowledge of these topics is required in order to start this course:

  • Basic economics

Students who have not followed an introductory course in economics are expected to self-study economic concepets they are not yet familiar with. 

Order of Enrolment


This course unit is a prerequisite for taking the following course units:
I0U81A : Integrated Project Tropical Agro- and Ecosystems

Identical courses

This course is identical to the following courses:
I0Q23A : Agricultural Economics and Food Policy in Developing Countries (No longer offered this academic year)
I0W53A : Landbouweconomie en -ontwikkeling in een internationaal perspectief

Is included in these courses of study

Activities

6 ects. Agricultural Economics and Development in an International Perspective (B-KUL-I0Q23a)

6 ECTSEnglishFormat: Lecture50 First term
Maertens Miet
POC Bio-ingenieurswetenschappen

Content

The course covers the following topics and includes the following chapters:

Dimensions of world food systems and development problems  

  • Growth, poverty and food security  
  • Food demand and population growth  
  • Agricultural production and supply of food 

Development theories and the role of agriculture

  • Economic transformation and growth
  • Development theory and growth strategies

Getting agriculture moving

  • Theories and strategies for agricultural development
  • Agricultural research and technology transfer
  • Land and labor markets
  • Input and credit markets
  • Pricing policies and marketing systems

Agricultural development in an interdependent world

  • Agriculture and international trade
  • Trade policies, negotiations and agreements
  • Macro-economic policies and agricultural development
  • Capital flows, foreign assistance and food aid

Course material

The course material includes: 1) PowerPoint slides (available on Toledo) and course notes; 2) the handbook ‘Economics of Agricultural Development: World Food Systems and Resource Use – fourth edition – by George W. Norton, Jeffrey Alwang and William A. Masters (Routledge)’; 3) some chapters from the book 'Agricultural Development: New Perspectives in a Chaning World' - by K. Otsuka and S. Fan (IFPRI); 4) specific scientific articles referred to in the lectures (available on Toledo).

Format: more information

Throughout the semester, 7 interactive sessions are held. Attendance during these sessions is mandatory. If you have valid reasons for not being able to attend one of these sessions, please timely communicate this to the professor. 

Evaluation

Evaluation: Agricultural Economics and Development in an International Perspective (B-KUL-I2Q23b)

Type : Partial or continuous assessment with (final) exam during the examination period
Description of evaluation : Written, Self assessment/Peer assessment, Participation during contact hours
Type of questions : Open questions
Learning material : None

Explanation


Active participation during the 7 interactive sessions is evaluated for 3 of the 20 points. 

Information about retaking exams

The same modalities apply for all exam periods.