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Bioeconomics on Agriculture

Course developers

Prior knowledge

Ekon2130, Theory of Economics

LauZ2046, Agricultural Resources

Course abstract

The course provides students with knowledge on and develops practical skills in identifying the newest trends in the development of bioeconomy at the global and especially European and national scales. The course deals with primary industries – agriculture, forestry, fisheries, as well as manufacturing and other industries that exploit biotechnologies, thereby consuming and producing natural, quality, and innovative bioproducts. Their production has to be based on sustainability principles. The aim of the course is to link the knowledge, skills, and competences acquired in economic theory with the development of bioeconomy sectors.
Course objectives:
1. To develop an understanding of economic processes;
2. To analyse developments in bioeconomy sectors, particularly in agriculture;
3. To identify opportunities for more comprehensive and efficient use of rural bioresources in agricultural production;
4. To assess the potential for broader utilisation of local bioresources in order to increase the added value of agricultural products;
5. To integrate environmental sustainability and social aspects into the agricultural production process.

Learning outcomes and their assessment

After completing the course students will have:
• knowledge and an understanding that a prudent, rational, and efficient use of Latvia’s resources (land, capital, labour) can contribute to its economic growth and its population’s wellbeing. It can be achieved by developing and employing the findings of bioeconomics;
• skills in using their knowledge and understanding on economic growth opportunities, in analysing the development of bioeconomic industries, in taking advantage of deeper, complete, and efficient processing of products that raise their value added, and in tackling the problems of integrating theory and practice;

• competence in identifying and forecasting the opportunities for the production of bioproducts with a higher value added and their sales in the domestic and foreign markets, as well as the effects on the growth of bioeconomic industries and their contribution to the national economy.

Course Content(Calendar)

Full-time on-site studies
1. Concept and significance of the bioeconomy (4 classes)
2. Historical development of the bioeconomy concept (4 classes)
3. Mitigation of externalities (4 classes)
4. Ecosystem services (4 classes)
5. Methods for ecosystem valuation (4 classes)
6. Resource taxonomy (4 classes)
7. Use of renewable resources (4 classes)
8. Concept and types of agricultural economics (4 classes)
9. Main economic principles of agricultural economics (4 classes)
10. Biotechnology in agriculture (4 classes)
11. Biotechnology in forestry and fisheries (4 classes)
12. European Union bioeconomy development policy (4 classes)
13. Development of the bioeconomy in Latvia (4 classes)
14. Innovation development in the bioeconomy (4 classes)
15. Integrated land management (4 classes)
16. Production resources in agricultural production (4 classes)
Part-time extramural studies

All topics listed for full-time studies are covered. The number of contact hours is reduced to 50% of the hours specified for full-time on-site studies.

Description of the organization and tasks of students’ independent work

Independent study tasks are organised as:
• individual work or work in pairs/groups;
• practical calculation assignments;
• analytical studies;
• case studies;
• oral and visual presentations.
Each task includes:
1. review of the theoretical background;
2. data collection from scientific, statistical, and industry-related information sources;
3. data processing and economic analysis;
4. formulation of conclusions and recommendations;
5. preparation of a written report;
6. presentation of the results to the audience.
The results of the assignments are presented during seminars or practical classes using presentation materials (e.g., PowerPoint, posters, or other visual aids). In the case of group work, both the overall outcome and each student’s individual contribution are assessed.
Topics of Practical Assignments
1. Research methodology and study planning in economics (individual work).
2. Analysis of bioeconomy sectors and market environment (group work).
3. Evaluation of research strategies and outcomes of Latvijas Biozinātņu un tehnoloģiju universitāte and related scientific institutions (individual or pair work).
4. Economic assessment of bioeconomy policy and development instruments (individual work).
5. Calculation of resource productivity and efficiency indicators (practical calculation task).
6. Analysis of bioeconomy value chains, supply, and demand (group work).
7. Economic modelling of sectoral development and scenario calculations (group work).

8. Case study in the bioeconomy and presentation of results (individual or group work).

Criteria for Evaluating Learning Outcomes

Assessment of study results in the course is cumulative throughout the semester, combining evaluation of theoretical knowledge, completion of practical assignments, and a final examination.
The final grade consists of:
• two midterm tests – 40%;
• participation in practical classes and seminars, as well as completion of practical and independent assignments (individual and group work) – 40%;
• a written final examination at the end of the course – 20%.
Each assessment component is expressed as a percentage, where 10% corresponds to one point on the 10-point grading scale. The final grade is calculated as the weighted average of all assessment components.

During the course, attendance is monitored, along with the timely completion of practical and seminar assignments and active participation in discussions and problem-solving activities.

Compulsory reading

1. Naglis-Liepa, K., Popluga, D., & Nipers, A. (Eds.). (2024). Bioekonomika: attīstības ceļvedis. Latvijas Biozinātņu un tehnoloģiju universitāte. https://lbtufb.lbtu.lv/LBTU-izdevumi/Bioekonomika-LBTU-2024.pdf
2. Lewandowski, I. (Ed.). (2018). Bioeconomy: Shaping the transition to a sustainable, biobased economy (356 lpp.). Springer International Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-68152-8
3. Kopnina, H., & Poldner, K. (Eds.). (2022). Circular economy: Challenges and opportunities for ethical and sustainable business (xxiii, 226 lpp.). Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group
4. Pietzsch, J. (Ed.). (2020). Bioeconomy for Beginners (xiii, 214 lpp.). Springer. Berlin.

5. Vide un ilgtspējīga attīstība (2010). Redaktori Māris Kļaviņš un Jānis Zaļoksnis. Rīga: LU Akadēmiskais apgāds, 334 lpp. ISBN 978-9984-45-220-3

Further reading

1. Pink, M., & Józefowska, A. (Eds.). (2025). The Circular Bioeconomy: Institutional and Production Perspectives (372 lpp.). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003453529
2. Pelše M., Naglis-Liepa K., Zēverte-Rivža S., Strīķis V. (autoru kolektīvā) Atjaunojamā enerģija un tās efektīva izmantošana Latvijā. Monogrāfija (1., 2., 7., 8.nodaļa). Jelgava: LLU, 2012. 12.-37., 315.-379.lpp.
3. Rivža, B. (Ed.). (2022). Latvijas spēks ilgi pastāvēt: Kolektīvā zinātniskā monogrāfija (479 lpp.). Latvijas Zinātņu akadēmija; Latvijas Lauksaimniecības universitāte.

Periodicals and other sources

1. Lauksaimniecības gada ziņojumi. Rīga: LR Zemkopības ministrija. [tiešsaiste] [skatīts 05.02.2018.]. Pieejams: https://www.zm.gov.lv/lauksaimnieciba/statiskas-lapas/lauksaimniecibas-gada-zinojumi?nid=531#jump
2. Latvija. Ziņojums par Latvijas tautsaimniecības attīstību. Latvijas Republikas Ekonomikas ministrija. Rīga: LR Ekonomikas ministrija. ISSN 1407-4095. [tiešsaiste] [skatīts 05.02.2018.]. Pieejams:
https://www.em.gov.lv/lv/nozares_politika/tautsaimniecibas_attistiba
3. 25 stāsti par bioekonomikas inovācijām Baltijas jūras reģionā. (2020). Vidzemes plānošanas reģions. ISBN 9789934894008