Applications of theory and methods in agricultural economics
Information from the course leader
A warm welcome to the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences and the course Applications of theory and methods in agricultural economics!
Below, you will find general information about the student account, registration for the course and other practical information.
The student account
You will need your student account to access e.g. your e-mail, Ladok and Canvas. For information regarding how to create your student account, follow this link: https://student.slu.se/en/study-support/it-support/support/new-student---start/
Registration for the course
Self-registration for the course is done in Ladok between 2025-02-06–2025-02-20. Remember that you must be admitted and registered in Ladok to be able take the course. Having access to Canvas does not mean you are registered in the course and without registration, you are risking losing your place in the course. If you have been admitted to the course with conditions, you need to send your credit list to the course leader who will review it and decide if you can register. Do this as soon as possible as reviewing credits may take a few days due to the course start.
Educational support
If you are entitled extra educational support, please inform the course leader at the start of the course so that special arrangements can be made.
For educational support for an exam, see instructions in the exam registration in Ladok Student. You need to register for alternative exam arrangements no later than 10 workings days prior to the examination day. More information here: https://student.slu.se/en/study-support/study-support/funka/.
Discontinuation of a course
If you want to discontinue the course, you should immediately notify the educational administrators at econ-edu@slu.se, who in turn will inform the course leader and register a non-completion of the course in Ladok after your approval. You are also able to register an early non-completion of the course (within three weeks after course start) in Ladok yourself.
Exams
You need to register for exams in Ladok. The registration closes 10 working days prior to the exam. You can find your anonymity code in Ladok Student. It's not possible to register for the exam after the deadline has passed.
On Wednesdays between 12:30-14:30 we have an exam hand out at the department (Ulls hus, 4th floor). Please remember to bring your ID-card.
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Do not hesitate to contact us at econ-edu@slu.se if you have any questions!
Kind regards,
The educational administrators
Course evaluation
Additional course evaluations for NA0190
Academic year 2023/2024
Applications of theory and methods in agricultural economics (NA0190-30345)
2024-02-15 - 2024-03-19
Syllabus and other information
Syllabus
NA0190 Applications of theory and methods in agricultural economics, 7.5 Credits
Tillämpningar av teori och metod i jordbruksekonomiSubjects
EconomicsEducation cycle
Bachelor’s levelModules
| Title | Credits | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Single module | 7.5 | 0001 |
Advanced study in the main field
First cycle, has at least 60 credits in first-cycle course/s as entry requirementsBachelor’s level (G2F)
Grading scale
The grade requirements within the course grading system are set out in specific criteria. These criteria must be available by the course start at the latest.
Language
EnglishPrior knowledge
Knowledge equivalent to:60 credits economics
7\.5 credits agricultural economics
English 6
Exemption granted from the general entry requirement of Swedish
Objectives
The aim of the course is to provide in-depth knowledge of how economic theories and methods can be applied to empirically analyze economic and political problems relating to the agricultural sector and other actors of the food system, from a production as well as a consumption perspective. The course includes reading and critically reviewing scientific articles. After completing the course, the students will have the ability to independently formulate problems and questions and to identify adequate economic methods.
After completion of the course the students will be able to:
show in-depth knowledge and understanding of how economic theory and economic methods can be used to address research questions oriented towards the agricultural sector and the food system. This includes based on scientific articles to identify and assess strengths and weaknesses with alternative methods, for example when evaluating different policies,
independently formulate problems and questions relating to central economic and political problems in the agricultural sector and in the food system and identify adequate methods for empirical analyzes of these questions,
demonstrate the ability to orally and in writing give an account of and discuss how agricultural and food policy can be designed to steer towards environmental policy and other political objectives.
Content
Subject content:
The course covers methods used for the analysis of various policy areas within agricultural economics, such as the agricultural sector's economy, productivity, efficiency and environmental and social sustainability. The course includes critically discussing strengths and weaknesses using different methods given the specific context and question. The course deals with sustainability aspects and international perspectives.
Course implementation:
The course uses different teaching methods to promote students' learning and discussions through:
Lectures, exercises, seminars and written assignments.
The course focuses on the following general competences:
Scientific methods, critical thinking, problem solving, oral and written communication, plan and manage time.
The following components are compulsory:
Compulsory seminars
Grading form
The grade requirements within the course grading system are set out in specific criteria. These criteria must be available by the course start at the latest.Formats and requirements for examination
Passed written examination.
Approved participation in compulsory seminars.
If a student has failed an examination, the examiner has the right to issue supplementary assignments. This applies if it is possible and there are grounds to do so.
The examiner can provide an adapted assessment to students entitled to study support for students with disabilities following a decision by the university. Examiners may also issue an adapted examination or provide an alternative way for the students to take the exam.
If this syllabus is withdrawn, SLU may introduce transitional provisions for examining students admitted based on this syllabus and who have not yet passed the course.
For the assessment of an independent project (degree project), the examiner may also allow a student to add supplemental information after the deadline for submission. Read more in the Education Planning and Administration Handbook.
Other information
The right to participate in teaching and/or supervision only applies for the course instance the student was admitted to and registered on.
If there are special reasons, students are entitled to participate in components with compulsory attendance when the course is given again. Read more in the Education Planning and Administration Handbook.
Responsible department
Department of Economics
Further information
Litterature list
Lecture 1
Dey, M.M., Garcia, Y.T., Praduman, K., Piumsombun, S., Haque, M.S., Li, L., Radam, A., Senaratne, A., Khiem, N.T. and Koeshendrajana, S., 2008. Demand for fish in Asia: a cross‐country analysis. Australian Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics, 52(3), pp.321-338.
Armbrecht, J., Lundberg, E. and Skallerud, K., 2023. A segmentation of fish consumers based on quantity and type of fish: Insights from the Swedish market. Food Quality and Preference, 112, p.105007.
Banda, F.M. and Edriss, A.K., 2023. Analysis of Demand for Fish in Urban Malawi. International Review of Management and Marketing, 13(5), p.33.
Zilberman, D., 2019. Agricultural Economics as a Poster Child of Applied Economics: Big Data & Big Issues 1. American Journal of Agricultural Economics, 101(2), pp.353-364
Lu, L., Tian, G. and Hatzenbuehler, P., 2022. How agricultural economists are using big data: A review. China Agricultural Economic Review, 14(3), pp.494-508 (Optional)
**Lecture 2 **
Book chapter
- Coelli, T.J., Rao, D.S.P., O'Donnell, C.J. and Battese, G.E., 2005. An introduction to efficiency and productivity analysis (chapters 1, 2, and 4). Springer science & business media.
Articles:
- Wei Huang, Gordana Manevska-Tasevska, Helena Hansson, 2024. Does ecologization matter for technical efficiency in crop production? A case of Swedish agriculture. Land Use Policy, 138. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landusepol.2024.107068
Lecture 3
Michels, M., Fecke, W., Feil, J.H., Musshoff, O., Pigisch, J. and Krone, S., 2020. Smartphone adoption and use in agriculture: empirical evidence from Germany. Precision Agriculture, 21, pp.403-425.
Mishra, B., Gyawali, B.R., Paudel, K.P., Poudyal, N.C., Simon, M.F., Dasgupta, S. and Antonious, G., 2018. Adoption of sustainable agriculture practices among farmers in Kentucky, USA. Environmental management, 62, pp.1060-1072.
Höglind, L., Hansson, H. and Manevska-Tasevska, G., 2021. Questioning the dichotomy: A Latent profile analysis of ecological management practices in Swedish agriculture. Journal of Environmental Management, 300, p.113770.
Zhang, H., Li, R., Veeck, A. and Yu, H., 2022. Peer influence on teenagers’ preference for brand name food products: The mediation effect of peer identity. International Journal of Consumer Studies, 46(4)
Lancaster, K.J., 1966. A new approach to consumer theory **(Optional). **Journal of political economy, 74(2), pp.132-157.
Darby, M.R. and Karni, E., 1973. Free competition and the optimal amount of fraud **(Optional).**The Journal of law and economics, 16(1), pp.67-88.
Caswell, J.A. and Mojduszka, E.M., 1996. Using informational labeling to influence the market for quality in food products **(Optional). **American Journal of Agricultural Economics, 78(5), pp.1248-1253.
Lecture 4
Long, J.S. and Freese, J., 2006. Regression models for categorical dependent variables using Stata (Vol. 7). Stata press (Chapters 4,5,6,7)
Mathijs, E., 2003. Social capital and farmers' willingness to adopt countryside stewardship schemes. Outlook on agriculture, 32(1), pp.13-16.
Tamirat, T.W., Pedersen, S.M. and Lind, K.M., 2018. Farm and operator characteristics affecting adoption of precision agriculture in Denmark and Germany. Acta Agriculturae Scandinavica, Section B—Soil & Plant Science, 68(4), pp.349-357.
Dessart, F.J., Barreiro-Hurlé, J. and Van Bavel, R., 2019. Behavioural factors affecting the adoption of sustainable farming practices: a policy-oriented review (Optional). European Review of Agricultural Economics, 46(3), pp.417-471.
Hansson, H., Lagerkvist, C.J. and Azar, G., 2018. Use and non-use values as motivational construct dimensions for farm animal welfare: impacts on the economic outcome for the farm review (Optional). Animal, 12(10), pp.2147-2155.
Gasson, R., 1973. Goals and values of farmers (Optional). Journal of agricultural economics, 24(3), pp.521-542.
Lectures 5 and 6
Fabrigar, L.R., Wegener, D.T., MacCallum, R.C. and Strahan, E.J., 1999. Evaluating the use of exploratory factor analysis in psychological research. Psychological methods, 4(3), p.272.
Schumacker, R.E. and Lomax, R.G., 2004. A beginner's guide to structural equation modelling (Chapter 1, 8, 9, 10). Psychology press.
Davvetas, V., Diamantopoulos, A., Zaefarian, G. and Sichtmann, C., 2020. Ten basic questions about structural equations modeling you should know the answers to–But perhaps you don't. Industrial Marketing Management, 90, pp.252-263.
STATA STRUCTURAL EQUATION MODELING REFERENCE MANUAL RELEASE 18 (Optional)
Ha, T.M., Shakur, S. and Do, K.H.P., 2019. Consumer concern about food safety in Hanoi, Vietnam (Optional). Food Control, 98, pp.238-244
Lassoued, R., Hobbs, J.E., Micheels, E.T. and Zhang, D.D., 2015. Consumer trust in chicken brands: A structural equation model (Optional). Canadian Journal of Agricultural Economics/Revue canadienne d'agroeconomie, 63(4), pp.621-647.
Schermelleh-Engel, K., Moosbrugger, H. and Müller, H., 2003. Evaluating the fit of structural equation models: Tests of significance and descriptive goodness-of-fit measures **(Optional).**Methods of psychological research online, 8(2), pp.23-74