Course overview
This course examines the interconnections between development, growth, agriculture and globalisation, the role of agriculture in economic development and structural transformation. Topics typically include economic growth, economic development, inequality, inequity, poverty and how they are measured. We will study these topics using emerging economies as case studies. We will talk about BRIICS (Brazil, Russia, India, Indonesia, China, and South Africa), what characterises their economic development, and their role in international food and trade systems. We will also discuss the characteristics of agricultural systems, agricultural technology transfer, gender roles in agriculture, land, labour, input and credit markets, and risk and uncertainty within the context of emerging economies.
Course learning outcomes
- Identify the concepts of economic growth and economic development, poverty and inequality, their differences and importance for policy, how they are measure and how they evolve in time
- Examine the role of emerging economies and the changes in world agricultural trade systems
- Compare the basic characteristics of agricultural systems around the world and how they have changed
- Identify components of agricultural development strategies and potential solutions to current world development issues
- Identify the role of human capital and gender in agriculture and identify the characteristics of land, labour, inputs and credit markets in agriculture, and the role of risk and uncertainty on farmers' decision-making
- Apply concepts learned during the course to analyse case studies and particular problems