Learning outcomes of the curricular unit (knowledge, skills and competences to be developed by the students)
The main objective is to provide students with the ability to understand the economic policies that explain the functioning of national and international agricultural markets. The aim is for students to know the main characteristics of the national agricultural and agri-food sectors, to be able to analyse the decisions of producers and consumers, to be able to understand and analyse the organization and performance of the economy, as well as the effects of macroeconomic and market policies, to understand market trends by integrating analyses of competition and the environment into a systemic vision of improving the competitiveness of their organization; to define the approach to marketing variables and the impact of their policies on the company's strategy and the impact of its actions on agribusiness.
Syllabus
Characterization and evolution of the agricultural sector in Portugal: the main production regions, agricultural structures, the most important agricultural and livestock products. Agricultural institutions and markets in Portugal. Economic concepts necessary for understanding agricultural markets. World markets for the main food products. Sustainable food systems - Sustainable production and consumption. Marketing strategy: from analyzing opportunities to defining objectives and market sources. Marketing policies. Territorial marketing and rural development. Environmental and social impacts of food markets. Tools and techniques to support rural development. European Green Deal - new approaches to policies in the areas of Biodiversity, Farm to Fork; Sustainable Agriculture, Climate Action, etc. Circular bioeconomy: opportunities for agroecological transition and sustainable development.
Demonstration of the syllabus coherence with the curricular unit's learning objectives
The agricultural and food markets have undergone significant changes in recent decades. The increased competitiveness of agribusiness, boosted by a marketing orientation, has focused on developing products that satisfy the diverse preferences of different market segments. The dynamic and increasingly global nature of agri-food systems increases the need for skills in market analysis, marketing planning and management. This course covers the basic concepts of economic and marketing theories, placing them in the context of the production, processing and distribution of agricultural, livestock and agri-food products. Students will gain an understanding of the ever-changing structural, institutional, organizational and political aspects that affect agri-food chains, as well as the fundamental economic and marketing theories and concepts necessary for the analysis and sustainable functioning of markets.
Teaching methodologies (including evaluation)
Classes will consist of the presentation and development of theoretical foundations, debate on the topics and the application of this knowledge through exercises. The assessment system is reflected in the completion of a practical assignment analyzing a market for an agricultural product. Methodologies will be used: expository, using audiovisual media to explain the syllabus; active, through the resolution of practical cases and their discussion; collaborative, through group work. Exemption from final exam: 1 written test (with a weighting of 60% in the final assessment) + 1 assignment (with a weighting of 40% in the final assessment). Group work with a maximum of two elements and obligatorily subject to a written report and oral presentation and an evaluation equal to or greater than 10 points. Admission to the final exam: Final exam: 1 written test (60%) + classification of the group work (40% of the final assessment) or Final exam: 1 written test (100%)
Demonstration of the coherence between the teaching methodologies and the learning outcomes
Considering the main topics covered in the theoretical-practical context, the aim is to establish a balance between the knowledge and skills to be acquired. Considering that it is essential for students enrolled in this course to have the appropriate skills to analyze different real-life situations, an expository approach is predominant in the initial classes. The teaching methodologies aim to meet the following objectives: - that the syllabus is understood and easily assimilated; - to ensure an intense relationship between knowledge and practice; - to guarantee the consolidation of the knowledge acquired at this stage, or in later stages, at a professional level or when they intend to continue with other cycles of study. The teaching methodologies to be adopted respond to the definition of the stated objectives and the essentially theoretical-practical nature of the course. In other words, for the acquisition of fundamental theoretical concepts, the most appropriate method is the expository method, which does not mean that the student is not obliged to participate in identifying the concepts to be disseminated. If expository methodologies are not exhausted for the structuring concepts of economics, marketing and politics and their respective functions, other methodologies are added so that students can master the dynamics of the markets, enabling them to acquire the skills to analyse, understand and decide between the different scenarios on the strategic option to adopt in their organization. In addition, there are guidelines and specific bibliographic support which is provided by the teacher(s) in the form of tutorial support to help with the challenges set and so that students have the information they need to make decisions on the various alternative scenarios in the problems that are being proposed today or that they may be faced with in a professional context.
Bibliography (Mandatory resources)
Avillez, F. et all (2010). A agricultura portuguesa e o futuro da PAC pós¿2013 Avillez, F. et all (2004). Rendimento e Competitividade agrícolas em Portugal: evolução recente, situação atual e perspetivas futuras. AGRO.GES. GPP (2015). Cultivar: cadernos de Análise e Prospetiva, nº 1 GPP (2016). Cultivar: cadernos de Análise e Prospetiva nº 6 Krugman, P. e Wells, R. (2007). Introdução à Economia, 3ª reimpressão, Elsevier, Brasil. Lendrevie, J.; Lévy, J.; Dionísio, P. & Rodrigues, J. (2015): Mercator da língua portuguesa: Teoria e Prática do Marketing, (16ª ed.). Lisboa: Pub. Dom Quixote.
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