Course code Ekon4068

Credit points 6

Agricultural and Environmental Economics

Total Hours in Course162

Independent study hours162

Date of course confirmation20.03.2019

Responsible UnitInstitute of Economics and Finance

Course developer

author prof.

Dina Popluga

Dr. oec.

Prior knowledge

Ekon3114, Economic Research

Ekon3117, Agricultural and Environmental Policy

Ekon3119, Economy of Renewable Energy

LauZ2054, Crop Production

LauZ2055, Animal Husbandry

Course abstract

In the study project content and branches of agrarian and/or environmental economics has been researched in the context of sustainable development and economic development. In the study project students identify problems of agricultural and/or environmental economics, explore development possibilities of these economic sub-branches by using appropriate research methods, as well as draw conclusions and formulate recommendations for solving problems in the context of agrarian and environmental economics.

Learning outcomes and their assessment

Knowledge
• Theoretical and practical knowledge of trends in the agricultural and environmental economies, their role in contributing to sustainable development, the most urgent problems in this field and solutions to the problems, the relevant legal framework, the latest scientific achievements and the most popular research methods. Assessment method - study project, the presentation and defence of the study project.
Professional skills
• Independently find, select, systemise and analyse information on agricultural and environmental economics. Assessment method - study project, the presentation and defence of the study project.
• Apply proper quantitative and qualitative research methods. Assessment method - study project.
• Draw conclusions and come up with proposals to solving the problems identified in the field of agricultural and environmental economics. Assessment method - study project, the presentation and defence of the study project.
Soft skills
• Independently plan the work on the study project and meet deadlines. Assessment method - study project.
• Present and defend the research done in public. Assessment method - the presentation and defence of the study project.
Competences
• Integrate the knowledge, skills and competences in the field of agricultural and environmental economics acquired during theoretical studies into practical research. Assessment method - study project, the presentation and defence of the study project.

• Create new approaches to tackling agricultural and environmental economic problems and achieving common social goals. Assessment method - the presentation and defence of the study project.

Course Content(Calendar)

Content of the study project program
1. Selection of the topic, its justification, definition of the problem to be investigated.
2. Definition of the aim and tasks of the study project (formulation of the research question).
3. Establishment of the working structure.
4. Choice of research methods.
5. Theoretical background of the topic.
6. Literature review and discussion.
7. Research.
8. Collection of statistical data. Systematisation of statistical data.
9. Statistical data analysis.
10. Drawing conclusions.
11. 11. Drafting of proposals.
12. Establishment of the list of references.
13. Compilation of Annexes.
14. Technical presentation of the work.
15. Submission of the study project.
16. Defense of the study project, discussion.
17. Evaluation of the study project.
Indicative study project topics
1. Evaluation of economic indicators of agriculture.
2. Economic evaluation of greenhouse gas mitigation measures.
3. Impact of climate change on Latvia's economy / tourism / agriculture / construction / infrastructure / human health / animal health.
4. Economic assessment of climate change risks in sector X.
5. Possibilities of agricultural development in Latvia.
6. Analysis of recent trends in the crop / livestock sector / subsector X.
7. Economic evaluation of the latest agricultural technologies.
8. Biotechnology assessment for company X / farm.
9. Possibilities for the development of environmentally friendly and sustainable crop production in Latvia.
10. Evaluation of the interaction of agriculture and environment in Latvia.
11. Opportunities and challenges for the efficient use of resources of agricultural origin.
12. Energy production from biomass of agricultural origin.
13. Sustainable renewable energy production.
14. Evaluation of organic farming in Latvia.
15. Evaluation of the use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in Latvian agriculture.
16. Development of permaculture in Latvia.
17. Evaluation of non-traditional agriculture in the context of sustainable development.
18. Evaluation of vertical agriculture development possibilities in Latvia / region X.
19. Development of urban agriculture in Latvia.
20. Evaluation of sustainable development indicators in Latvia.
21. Waste management in Latvia - development opportunities and problems.
22. Bioeconomy development opportunities in Latvia.
23. Market development of bioeconomy industries.
24. Possibilities of establishing ecological villages and their role in the development of rural areas.
25. Evaluation of bio-resources in Latvia and possibilities to promote their use.
26. Analysis of sustainable food production policy in the European Union / Baltic States / Latvia.
27. Innovation in agriculture / crop production / livestock farming / subsector X.
28. Innovations in feed production.
29. Innovations in renewable energy production.
30. The role of agriculture in reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
31. The role of forestry in reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
32. Greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction measures in agriculture / crop / livestock farming
33. The formation of value chains in Latvian agriculture.

34. Development tendencies of cooperation in Latvian agriculture.

Requirements for awarding credit points

Students must develop and defend study project.

Description of the organization and tasks of students’ independent work

The student has to work out a study project and make a presentation about the research.

Criteria for Evaluating Learning Outcomes

The study project is evaluated in 10 point system. The study project is defended if all members of the commission give a successful evaluation of the work. In case of unsuccessful assessment - the work of the institute must be repeated and defended within the time set by the institute.

Compulsory reading

1. Atstāja Dz., Dimante Dž., Brīvers I. u.c. Vide un ekonomika: Monogrāfija. Rīga: LU, 2011. 256 lpp.
2. Food, Agriculture and the Environment: Economic Issues. Ed. by E. Defrancesco, L. Galletto, M. Thiene. Milano: Franco Angeli, 2010. 542 p.

3. Environment and Sustainable Development. Edited by M. Kļaviņš, W. L. Filho and J. Zaļoksnis. Rīga: Academic Press of University of Latvia, 2010. 300 p.

Further reading

1. Krūzs K. Dabas un otrreizējo resursu izmantošana. Mācību līdzeklis. Rīga: Izglītības soļi, 2003. 131 lpp.
2. Field B. C. Environmental Economics. An Introduction. – 2nd ed. Singapore: The McGraw-Hill companies, Inc., 1997. 490 p.
3. Kula E. Economics of Natural Resources, the Environment and Policies. – 2nd ed. London: Chapman&Hall, 1994. 377 p.
4. Siltumnīcefekta gāzu emisiju samazināšanas iespējas ar klimatam draudzīgu lauksaimniecību un mežsaimniecību Latvijā: Monogrāfija. Galv. Red. P. Rivža. Jelgava: LLU, 2018, 304 lpp.

Periodicals and other sources

1. Dienas Bizness: nedēļas laikraksts: Latvijas Biznesa avīze. Rīga: Diena: Dagens Industri, 1992. ISSN 1407-2041
2. Kapitāls: žurnāls lietišķiem cilvēkiem: krāsains biznesa un ekonomikas žurnāls. Rīga: Lietišķās informācijas dienests, 1998. ISSN 1407-2041
3. Vides Vēstis: zaļā dzīvesstila žurnāls. Rīga: Vides aizsardzības klubs, 1997. ISSN 1407-2939

4. Latvijas Republikas Zemkopības ministrija - www.zm.gov.lv

Notes

Limited choice (Part B) study project for ESAF academic bachelor degree program Economics in specialization direction Agrarian and Environmental Economics.