B1836 - Economics and Policy of Biotechnology in Agriculture

Learning outcomes

The student knows theoretical and practical aspects of economic valorisation of biotech technologies, woith reference to markets, innovation systems and economic evaluation.

See italian version for details

Course contents

1. Introductory concepts  (2 hours)

1.1. Introduction to the course

1.2. The insititutions of mixed economic systems

 

2.Economics (10 hours)

2.1.Markets

2.2. Production economics

2.2.1. Production function

2.2.2 Cost function

2.3. Economics of innovation

 

3. Policy  (8 hours)

3.1 Introduction

3.2 Agricultural policies

3.3 Innovation policies

 

4. Economic organization of agri-food systems (8 hours)

4.1 Organisation of the firm

4.2 Innovation systems

 

5. Economic analysis methods to support decision-making (8 hours)

5.1 Gross margin

5.2 Investment analysis

5.3 Sources of information

 

6. Economic evaluation of biotech innovations (24 hours)

Case studies to be agreed with students and groupwork

Readings/Bibliography

Material provided by the teacher

Menozzi D. (2023). Economia del sistema agroalimentare, EDISES

Teaching methods

Lectures

Classes with elaborations in excel

Discussion of cases and participative methods (brainstorming, world caffé)

Groupwork on case studies

Assessment methods

Final oral exam, including:

presentation and discussion of a case study

2 questions of section 1-5 of the program

Teaching tools

Textbook

Handout provided by the tacher

Slide and didactic materials

Office hours

See the website of Davide Viaggi