Unit FARM MANAGEMENT AND FOOD AGRICULTURAL POLICIES

FARM MANAGEMENT

Code	80099606
CFU	5
Teacher	Biancamaria Torquati
Teachers	Biancamaria Torquati
Hours	54 ore - Biancamaria Torquati
Learning activities	Caratterizzante
Area	Discipline economico-gestionali e giuridiche
Sector	AGRI-01/A
Type of study-unit	Obbligatorio (Required)
Language of instruction	Italian
Contents	The course addresses the management of agro-livestock enterprises by interpreting them as complex economic and production systems, in which technical, economic, organizational, and environmental factors interact. The analysis is developed along five main dimensions: the operational logic of agro-livestock enterprises and production combinations; organizational structures, farm management systems, and farm management information systems; the relationships between enterprise and environment, including externalities and sustainability; accounting tools, management control, and economic-financial analysis; strategic management, innovation, marketing, and entrepreneurial design through business planning. The course combines a theoretical perspective with a strong applied orientation, aimed at developing operational skills in the management and evaluation of agro-livestock enterprises.
Reference texts	Torquati B. – Economia e gestione dell’impresa agraria. Sole 24Ore Edagricole, Bologna, 2003. Messori F. – L’azienda agraria. Clueb., Bologna, 2007 (capitoli 13 e 14) Fontana F., Caroli M. – Economia e gestione delle imprese. McGraw.Hill, Milano 2009 (capitolo 3) Osterwalder A., Pigneur Y. – Business Model Generation Additional materials (lecture notes, datasets, Excel models) will be provided by the instructor.
Educational objectives	At the end of the course, students will be able to: analyse agro-livestock enterprises as systems, interpreting the relationships between production factors, processes, and economic outcomes (LO1); evaluate production combinations and farm management forms in relation to territorial and competitive contexts (LO2); use general accounting tools and financial statement analysis to assess firm performance (LO3); analyse the relationships between enterprise and environment, including externalities and sustainability implications, also through bioeconomy principles and sustainability reporting tools (LO4); identify business strategies according to market dynamics, agricultural policies, and innovation processes (LO5); design a business model and develop a business plan, assessing its economic and financial feasibility (LO6); apply data processing tools (Excel) to support managerial decision-making (LO7).
Prerequisites	Basic knowledge of microeconomics and agricultural policy is required.
Teaching methods	The course is structured as follows: lectures covering all course topics; practical sessions in a computer lab aimed at: developing a farm management information system; conducting a farm audit; implementing general accounting and financial statement analysis; developing a business plan; use of datasets and Excel-based analytical tools; farm visits to livestock enterprises; seminars with entrepreneurs and sector experts. Students are required to upload all assignments on the Unistudium platform in order to be admitted to the final exam.
Other information	The course promotes active learning through practical activities, farm visits, and interaction with professionals, fostering technical, relational, and decision-making skills. Attendance is strongly recommended. In addition, students may participate in activities promoted within the framework of the National Rural Network (Rete Rurale Nazionale) and the Ministry of Agriculture (MASAF), in collaboration with the Umbria Region, including the opportunity to take part in Mini-camps.
Learning verification modality	The assessment consists of: a written exam (10 open-ended questions covering theoretical contents); an oral exam, consisting of the discussion of a technical report: development of an entrepreneurial idea and preparation of a business plan. Assessment criteria include: theoretical understanding; correct application of analytical tools; design and project development capacity; clarity and rigor in presentation.
Extended program	The course is structured into five thematic areas: 1. Agro-livestock enterprise as a system and farm management information system (10 hours) (LO1, LO2, LO7) Farm system and enterprise system Economic analysis of agricultural enterprises Production combinations Management operations and value dynamics Farm management information system Practical exercises on data construction and analysis 2. Organization, labour, and environment (10 hours) (LO2, LO4) Organizational structures and farm management forms Labour organization and contractual arrangements Micro and macro environmental analysis Stakeholder analysis Production and externalities Enterprise and environmental sustainability Life Cycle Costing 3. Accounting and management control (10 hours) (LO3, LO7) General and analytical accounting Accounting recording systems Opening and closing balance sheets Agricultural taxation Economic and financial analysis Financial performance indicators 4. Strategy, innovation, and marketing (10 hours) (LO5) New forms of agriculture and multifunctionality Competitive strategies (cost leadership, differentiation, focus) Collaborative strategies Innovation in agricultural enterprises Marketing in agro-livestock systems Case study analysis. 5. Business planning and entrepreneurial design (14 hours) (LO6, LO5, LO3) Entrepreneurial ideas Business Model Canvas SWOT analysis Marketing, production, and sales plans Financial planning Sensitivity analysis Practical exercises on business plan development and evaluation
Obiettivi Agenda 2030 per lo sviluppo sostenibile	The course contributes to the following SDGs: SDG 1 – No Poverty, by strengthening the economic sustainability of rural enterprises; SDG 2 – Zero Hunger, by promoting efficient and sustainable agro-livestock systems; SDG 5 – Gender Equality, particularly in relation to labour organization; SDG 12 – Responsible Consumption and Production, through efficient resource management and reduction of externalities.

FOOD POLICIES

Code	80024506
CFU	5
Teacher	Angelo Frascarelli
Teachers	Angelo Frascarelli
Hours	45 ore - Angelo Frascarelli
Learning activities	Caratterizzante
Area	Discipline economico-gestionali e giuridiche
Sector	AGRI-01/A
Type of study-unit	Obbligatorio (Required)
Language of instruction	Italian
Contents	Here is the English translation: 1. Agriculture and Economic Development (0.3 CFU) Economic development, economic growth, and structural economic dynamics. Agriculture and economic development. 2. Economic Aspects in the Study of Agriculture and Rural Development (0.3 CFU) Market failures. Externalities. Public goods and common resources. Information asymmetries. Experience goods and credence goods. 3. Agri-food Policy Instruments (0.6 CFU) Market policies. Income policies. Structural and rural development policies. The motivations and economic implications of agricultural policy instruments for market control. Control of foreign trade. Price stabilization measures. Stock control and production adjustment. Indirect agricultural policy instruments. 4. The Common Agricultural Policy for Market and Income Stabilization (0.3 CFU) The European Union: institutions and policies. The European integration process and its evolution. The EU decision-making process. The original design of the CAP. The evolution of EU market policy. CAP reforms: the MacSharry reform and Agenda 2000. The Fischler reform. Decoupling and conditionality. The Health Check. The EU budget 2014–2020. CAP 2014–2020: direct payments. 5. EU Strategy and Budget 2021–2027 (0.2 CFU) The European Green Deal. The Farm to Fork Strategy. The EU budget 2021–2027. Next Generation EU. The National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP). 6. CAP 2023–2027: Direct Payments (0.4 CFU) CAP 2021–2022 and CAP 2023–2027. Direct payments. Basic income support. Conditionality. Eco-schemes. Other payments. Horizontal requirements. First orientations of CAP 2028–2034. 7. Single CMO and Sectoral Support (0.2 CFU) Market measures and the Single CMO. Sectoral support in CAP 2023–2027. 8. Territorial Planning (0.5 CFU) Statistics for territories. Local Labour Systems. The planning process. SWOT analysis for territories. Impact, result, and output indicators. Monitoring and evaluation. 9. Rural Development Policy (0.4 CFU) The evolution of EU rural development policy. The second pillar of the CAP. Programming rural development policy. Rural development policy 2023–2027. The LEADER approach. Agri-environmental policy. 10. Risk Management Policy (0.2 CFU) Risk in agriculture. The evolution of risk management policy. Subsidised insurance. Mutual funds. 11. Agricultural Policy at the International Level (1.0 CFU) Economic theory and foreign trade. The effects of agricultural policies on international trade. The functioning of the WTO. Negotiations and international agreements. Trade negotiations. The Uruguay Round Agreement on Agriculture: market access, export subsidies, and domestic support. The Doha Round and the future of multilateral negotiations. U.S. agricultural policy. 12. Cohesion Policy (0.1 CFU) The evolution of EU cohesion policy. Structural funds. Reform of structural funds. Territorial policies. Territorial planning instruments. Development of economic and territorial programmes. Programme evaluation. 13. National Agricultural Policy (0.2 CFU) The evolution of public intervention in agriculture from the post-war period to the 1990s and the reorganisation of competencies in agriculture. National agricultural policy from 2000 to today. National institutions in agriculture. National agricultural policy and public expenditure in agriculture. Framework laws. Producer organisations and related policies. 14. Regulation on Genetically Modified Plants (0.1 CFU) GMOs and TEAs (NGTs). Regulations on the commercialization and cultivation of genetically modified plants. 15. Agro-energy Policies (0.1 CFU) Agro-energy: current situation and prospects. Agro-energy policy. 16. Carbon Farming and Related Policies (0.1 CFU) What is carbon farming? Carbon credits. EU regulation on carbon monitoring and sequestration. The future of carbon farming. Preparation of a PowerPoint presentation on a topic of international or European agricultural policy. Rules and acts of conditionality and the farm advisory dossier. Analysis and application of a CSR intervention. Territorial analysis and drafting of a Local Action Plan.
Reference texts	1. Material provided by the teacher. 2. Segré A. (2008), Politiche per lo sviluppo agricolo e la sicurezza alimentare, Carocci editore, Roma. 3. Sodano V., Sassi M., Marchini A., Economia agroalimentare: mercati e politiche, McGraw-Hill, Milano, 2010. 4. Vieri S. (2001), Politica Agraria, Edagricole, Bologna. 5. Commissione europea (2021), La mia Ue, Ufficio delle pubblicazioni ufficiali delle Comunità europee. 6. Sotte F.(2023). La politica agricola europea. Storia e analisi. FUP, Firenze.
Educational objectives	This course aims to provide students with a wide science knowledge of the aims, instruments and effects of the agricultural policies at the international, European and national levels. It particularly contributes in training future graduates to competently carry out all the activities related to agricultural policies, as a professional (agronomist) and/or a collaborator of societies for consultancy and planning in agriculture and/or an official in public or private institutions – specifically: - analyzing and evaluating changes in the socio-political context and in the agri-food sector legislation; - drawing up and implementing consultancy plans and business projects relating to European agri-food policies, rural development policy and national agri-food regulations; - planning, implementing and evaluating local development programs and projects, in implementation of European and national policies.
Prerequisites	In order to properly understand the content of the course, you need to have knowledge of Economics Institutions and Economy and agricultural policy.
Teaching methods	Classroom lessons: 36 hours Classroom exercises: 7 hours Seminars with external experts: 2 hours
Other information	Other activities: Student run lessons. Seminars.
Learning verification modality	Ongoing tests: reports on practical case studies, prepared using both MS Word and MS Excel. Final written test: 30 multiple-choice questions – time 15 minutes Final oral exam: 10 questions about theoretical aspects of the module issues, in order to assess the student’s knowledg and comprehension, together with his/her ability of exposition – time 45 minutes ca. Ongoing test assessments: multiple-choice tests. Assessment at the end of some lessons or practical exercises. Individual written reports home-based: as an alternative to the ongoing classroom exercises.
Extended program	LESSONS 1. Agriculture and Economic Development (0.3 CFU) Economic development, economic growth, and structural economic dynamics. Agriculture and economic development. 2. Economic Aspects in the Study of Agriculture and Rural Development (0.3 CFU) Market failures. Externalities. Public goods and common resources. Information asymmetries. Experience goods and credence goods. 3. Agri-food Policy Instruments (0.6 CFU) Market policies. Income policies. Structural and rural development policies. The motivations and economic implications of agricultural policy instruments for market control. Control of foreign trade. Price stabilization measures. Stock control and production adjustment. Indirect agricultural policy instruments. 4. The Common Agricultural Policy for Market and Income Stabilization (0.3 CFU) The European Union: institutions and policies. The European integration process and its evolution. The EU decision-making process. The original design of the CAP. The evolution of EU market policy. CAP reforms: the MacSharry reform and Agenda 2000. The Fischler reform. Decoupling and conditionality. The Health Check. The EU budget 2014–2020. CAP 2014–2020: direct payments. 5. EU Strategy and Budget 2021–2027 (0.2 CFU) The European Green Deal. The Farm to Fork Strategy. The EU budget 2021–2027. Next Generation EU. The National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP). 6. CAP 2023–2027: Direct Payments (0.4 CFU) CAP 2021–2022 and CAP 2023–2027. Direct payments. Basic income support. Conditionality. Eco-schemes. Other payments. Horizontal requirements. First orientations of CAP 2028–2034. 7. Single CMO and Sectoral Support (0.2 CFU) Market measures and the Single CMO. Sectoral support in CAP 2023–2027. 8. Territorial Planning (0.5 CFU) Statistics for territories. Local Labour Systems. The planning process. SWOT analysis for territories. Impact, result, and output indicators. Monitoring and evaluation. 9. Rural Development Policy (0.4 CFU) The evolution of EU rural development policy. The second pillar of the CAP. Programming rural development policy. Rural development policy 2023–2027. The LEADER approach. Agri-environmental policy. 10. Risk Management Policy (0.2 CFU) Risk in agriculture. The evolution of risk management policy. Subsidised insurance. Mutual funds. 11. Agricultural Policy at the International Level (1.0 CFU) Economic theory and foreign trade. The effects of agricultural policies on international trade. The functioning of the WTO. Negotiations and international agreements. Trade negotiations. The Uruguay Round Agreement on Agriculture: market access, export subsidies, and domestic support. The Doha Round and the future of multilateral negotiations. U.S. agricultural policy. 12. Cohesion Policy (0.1 CFU) The evolution of EU cohesion policy. Structural funds. Reform of structural funds. Territorial policies. Territorial planning instruments. Development of economic and territorial programmes. Programme evaluation. 13. National Agricultural Policy (0.2 CFU) The evolution of public intervention in agriculture from the post-war period to the 1990s and the reorganisation of competencies in agriculture. National agricultural policy from 2000 to today. National institutions in agriculture. National agricultural policy and public expenditure in agriculture. Framework laws. Producer organisations and related policies. 14. Regulation on Genetically Modified Plants (0.1 CFU) GMOs and TEAs (NGTs). Regulations on the commercialization and cultivation of genetically modified plants. 15. Agro-energy Policies (0.1 CFU) Agro-energy: current situation and prospects. Agro-energy policy. 16. Carbon Farming and Related Policies (0.1 CFU) What is carbon farming? Carbon credits. EU regulation on carbon monitoring and sequestration. The future of carbon farming. PRACTICAL ACTIVITIES Preparation of a PowerPoint presentation on a topic of international or European agricultural policy. Rules and acts of conditionality and the farm advisory dossier. Analysis and application of a CSR intervention. Territorial analysis and drafting of a Local Action Plan.
Obiettivi Agenda 2030 per lo sviluppo sostenibile	European policies for sustainable development