The degree is taught by SMEA, the Graduate School in Agricultural and Food Economics. It has a long experience in research concerning agricultural economics and policy, the industrial organisation of the food sector and the analysis of the functioning of the food supply chain. This experience relates both to academic research and to support for policy-makers, since the researchers of the team have developed a long experience of collaboration with international organisations (i.e., European Commission, OECD, FAO and World Bank), government agencies and producer associations.

The programme will prepare students to analyze the agri-food system and to operate in the various functional areas of businesses and organizations. The programme will develop professional knowledge and skills with regards to:

• analysing traditional problems relating to agricultural markets and food, evaluating the implications of agri-food and commercial policies;
• managing the liberalization processes and rules of free competition also within an international context;
• analysing the behaviour of final consumers with respect to agricultural and food products;
• understanding the different sectors of the agri-food system, the vertical relations and the coordination of the various phases of the system (e.g. agriculture, food processing and food retailing);
• managing emerging issues in agricultural and food production, including the safety of foodstuffs and the environmental impact of agricultural activities, the role of quality, information and traceability, the management of technical innovations, in particular biotechnology, and of the industrialization of agriculture;
• dealing with corporate and logistical problems that affect business functions according to the peculiarities of agribusiness companies.