Special Problems in Agricultural Economics
AGEC 638

NORTH CAROLINA A&T STATE UNIVERSITY
The Department of Agribusiness, Applied Economics and Agriscience Education

Instructor: Dr. Kofi Adu-Nyako
Office : A-31 C. H. Moore Ag. Research Fac.
Phone : 334-7426

adunyako@ncat.edu

Course Objective: The application of the scientific method of inquiry to current problems or issues in the field of Agricultural Economics. The course includes an overview of current issues and trends in the agricultural industries, from which each student will select an issue or problem of interest to him or her as the topic of a term paper. The 1996 FAIR Act will be discussed.

Course Organization:

The first part of the course will be devoted to an overview of the US Ag.Research System-issues and problems. In addition, the scientific method of inquiry will be introduced. The second part of the course will involve discussions of current issues of importance in Ag Economics. Guest lecturers will be invited to talk on special issues in their areas of expertise and to interact with and have discussions with students.

Required Text:

*U.S. Agricultural Research: Strategic Challenges and Options. Ed. Robert Weaver. Ag. Research Insti. MD. 1993

Dahlberg, Kenneth A. New Directions for Agriculture and Agricultural Research. Rowman and Allanheld. 1989.

References:

Additional readings will be assigned. Students are required to do the readings and be prepared to discuss the subject matter in class.

Provisions of the Federal Agriculture and Improvement Reform Act of 1996. USDA ERS Bulletin No. 729

Increasing Understanding of Public Problems and Policies. 1996. Farm Foundation.

Agricultural Research and Development: Public and Private Investments under Alternative Markets and Institutions. USDA ERS Ag Econ. Report No. 736

Course Grade:

Class Participation: 25%

Exams 50%

Term Paper: 25%

Topical Areas:

• The Changing Contexts and Goals, and Need for New Approaches

  • Dahlberg Ch. 18

• Current state of US Ag. Research

  • D. Weaver Ch. 2, 5, 7 8.

• The US Agricultural Research System Under Challenge

  • D. Weaver Ch. 1

• Historical Forces that have Shaped World Agriculture: A Structural Perspective

  • Dahlberg Ch. 5

• Intellectual Property and Managing Ag. Research

  • D. Weaver Ch 12-14

  • AR&D. ERS, Report 736

• The Industrialization of Agriculture

• Commodity Programs

• International Trade and Globalization

• Natural Resource and Environmental Issues

• Rural Development

• Welfare Reform.

• Food Safety