POLITICA AGRARIA E SVILUPPO RURALE
Academic Year 2026/2027 - Teacher: MANAL SAMIR HAMAMExpected Learning Outcomes
Knowledge and understanding
By the end of the course, students will know and understand the subject matter of agricultural policy, the role of agriculture in economic development processes and the main sources of statistical information for the sector. They will know the role of the European Union institutions, the origins and evolution of the CAP and the European strategies for sustainability. They will also understand the architecture and content of the CAP Strategic Plan 2023-2027 and its implementation, the National Animal Welfare Quality System (SQNBA), the farm register, market policies, rural development policies and the role of innovation in the agri-food sector.
Applying knowledge and understanding
Students will be able to interpret agricultural policy measures and their links with European environmental strategies, identify the CSP instruments best suited to specific farm, supply-chain and territorial problems, and use the main statistical and institutional sources. They will also be able to examine opportunities for public support for businesses and rural areas, understand how the farm register works as the basis for accessing aid, and analyse the role of producer organisations and market instruments.
Making judgements
Through practical exercises, students will be able to critically assess the objectives, instruments, beneficiaries and effects of agricultural and rural development policy measures, considering the economic, social and environmental consequences of different alternatives and the consistency between the CAP and European objectives on climate, biodiversity and water resources.
Communication skills
Through classroom discussions and the possible presentation of case studies, students will acquire the ability to use economic, legal and institutional terminology correctly and to present and justify their assessments to both specialist and non-specialist audiences.
Learning skills
Students will develop the ability to independently find, understand and update information from legislative, statistical and institutional sources, and to follow the evolution of European agricultural and environmental policies, starting with the negotiations on the post-2027 CAP, as well as of support instruments for businesses and rural areas.
Course Structure
The course combines several teaching methods: lectures, in-depth seminars and collaborative work among students. Educational visits and practical exercises at farms are also planned.
To ensure equal opportunities and in compliance with current legislation, interested students may request a personal meeting in order to agree on any compensatory and/or exemption measures, according to the teaching objectives and their specific needs. For further information, students may also contact the Department's CInAP (Centre for Active and Participatory Integration – Services for Disabilities and/or Specific Learning Disorders) contact lecturer.
Required Prerequisites
None
Attendance of Lessons
Attendance is not compulsory but is strongly recommended.
Detailed Course Content
1. Fundamentals of Agricultural Policy
Agricultural policy: general framework and scope of the discipline. The specific features of the agricultural sector and the reasons for public intervention. The role of agriculture in economic development processes. The agri-food system. The main statistical sources in agriculture.
2. The Origins and Evolution of the CAP
The origins of the Common Agricultural Policy: objectives, principles and lines of action. Price and market policy and the problems that emerged. The stages of reform: from the MacSharry reform to Agenda 2000, the Fischler reform and decoupling.
3. EU Strategies for the Third Millennium
The European Green Deal, the Farm to Fork Strategy and the circular economy. The EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 and Regulation (EU) 2024/1991 on nature restoration. The European Water Resilience Strategy and Directive (EU) 2026/805 on water.
4. The CAP 2023-2027
Objectives and architecture of the new CAP. The CAP Strategic Plan (CSP): direct payments, eco-schemes, enhanced conditionality (GAEC and SMR) and social conditionality. The CSP in Italy and Sicily. The National Animal Welfare Quality System (SQNBA). The farm register (fascicolo aziendale).
5. Markets and Supply Chains
Market policies: the single CMO and its instruments. Sectoral interventions. Producer organisations.
6. Rural Development
The second pillar of the CAP: objectives, fields of action and instruments. Risk management. The LEADER approach and Local Action Groups. Policies for inner areas.
7. Innovations and Prospects
Knowledge, research and innovation in the agri-food sector. The CAP after 2027: proposals and future challenges.
Textbook Information
Material provided by the lecturer.
Course Planning
| Subjects | Text References | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fundamentals of Agricultural Policy | Material provided by the lecturer |
| 2 | The Origins and Evolution of the CAP | Material provided by the lecturer |
| 3 | EU Strategies for the Third Millennium | Material provided by the lecturer |
| 4 | The CAP 2023-2027 | Material provided by the lecturer |
| 5 | Markets and Supply Chains | Material provided by the lecturer |
| 6 | Rural Development | Material provided by the lecturer |
| 7 | Innovations and Prospects | Material provided by the lecturer. |
Learning Assessment
Learning Assessment Procedures
Students' preparation will be assessed according to the following criteria: learning ability and depth of understanding of the topics covered, ability to summarise and present the material, and reasoning skills.
To this end, the course includes:
- a final oral examination.
Marks are expressed out of thirty. The exam is passed if the student obtains a mark of at least eighteen out of thirty. Assessment may also be carried out online, should circumstances require it. Marks are awarded according to the following scheme:
Fail
Knowledge and understanding of the topic: Major gaps. Significant inaccuracies
Analysis and synthesis skills: Irrelevant. Frequent generalisations. Inability to summarise
Use of references: Completely inappropriate
18-20
Knowledge and understanding of the topic: Threshold level. Evident imperfections
Analysis and synthesis skills: Barely sufficient
Use of references: Barely appropriate
21-23
Knowledge and understanding of the topic: Routine knowledge
Analysis and synthesis skills: Capable of correct analysis and synthesis. Argues logically and coherently
Use of references: Uses standard references
24-26
Knowledge and understanding of the topic: Good knowledge
Analysis and synthesis skills: Good analysis and synthesis skills. Arguments are expressed coherently
Use of references: Uses standard references
27-29
Knowledge and understanding of the topic: Very good knowledge
Analysis and synthesis skills: Considerable analysis and synthesis skills
Use of references: Has explored the topics in depth
30-30 cum laude
Knowledge and understanding of the topic: Excellent knowledge
Analysis and synthesis skills: Considerable analysis and synthesis skills
Use of references: Extensive in-depth study
Examples of frequently asked questions and / or exercises
- What is agricultural policy?
- What are the main statistical sources in agriculture?
- How did the CAP originate and how has it evolved?
- What are the objectives of the European Green Deal?
- What is the CAP Strategic Plan 2023-2027?
- What is the farm register (fascicolo aziendale)?
- What are producer organisations?
- What is the LEADER approach?