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Agricultural Science and Technology

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ECONOMIA E MECCANIZZAZIONE PER L'AGRICOLTURA DI PRECISIONE
Module Economics and management of innovations

Academic Year 2026/2027 - Teacher: BIAGIO PECORINO

Expected Learning Outcomes

The course's objective is to develop knowledge of the organization of businesses and production processes that adopt innovative tools for both cultivation and livestock farming. Furthermore, the course aims to illustrate the main regulations governing mandatory and voluntary innovations in the agri-food system. Finally, the course aims to develop skills in the main tools for financing innovative businesses.

Course Structure

Classroom teaching will be conducted using slides prepared by the instructor on individual topics, which will be provided to students.
Each lesson will address methodological aspects and be accompanied by examples that can be applied within institutions and businesses in the agri-food system.

To ensure equal opportunities and in compliance with applicable laws, interested students may request a personal interview to plan any compensatory and/or extenuating measures, based on their educational objectives and specific needs.

Students may also contact the CInAP (Center for Active and Participatory Integration - Services for Disabilities and/or DSA) contact teacher in our Department, Professor Anna De Angelis.

Detailed Course Content

Innovation, development and economic growth

Review of economic theory. Role of innovations in the competitiveness of economic systems. Schools of thought, interpretative models and policies. Technical progress and innovation in economic thinking. Evolutionary theory of innovation: basic notions. Types and sources of innovation. The innovative enterprise. Diffusion and adoption of innovation. Innovation systems. Public policies for innovation. Innovation and intellectual property rights.

Innovations in agriculture

Evolution and current scenario Product

Evolutionary features of innovations in modern agriculture: from the green revolution to digital innovations. The dissemination of knowledge and innovation in agriculture and the difficulties of modernizing farms. The development of mechanization and subcontracting. The spread of Precision Agriculture in the world and in Italy.

Support for businesses to access innovations.

Public incentives. The role of agricultural credit.

Research, development and innovation in agriculture

Biotechnological innovations: economic and regulatory aspects. The social perception of biotechnological innovations. The European Partnership for Innovation in Agriculture. The role of the Operational Groups in the generation of agricultural innovations in the Italian context. The Agricultural Research Database. The socio-economic profile of the innovative entrepreneur and the tools to encourage the adoption of Precision farming innovations.

Analysis of the economic evaluation of the introduction of Precision Agriculture in the farm

Precision farming and the effects on company capital, on work, on revenues. The income statement and valuations for individual technologies and crops. The technical-economic dimension for the introduction of Precision Farming. The determination of the economic convenience for the introduction of Precision Farming. Environmental impacts and benefits: notes on evaluation using the Life Cycle Assessment methodology.

Analysis of case studies and simulations by applying some Decision Support Tools to evaluate the economic convenience of company investments in Precision Farming.

Textbook Information

"Agricoltura di Precisione", Metodi e tecnologie per migliorare l’efficienza e la sostenibilità dei sistemi colturali a cura di Raffaele Casa - EdAgricole, 2024

"Agricoltura digitale", Innovazioni e tecnologie per l'agricoltura sostenibile di oggi e domani, a cura di C.Spadoni e I. Valmori - Patron Editore, Bologna, 2023

Learning Assessment

Learning Assessment Procedures

The grading scheme is as follows:
o Unsatisfactory
 Knowledge and understanding: serious gaps and significant inaccuracies
 Analysis and synthesis: irrelevant, frequent generalizations, inability to synthesize
 Use of references: completely inappropriate
o 18–20
 Knowledge and understanding: minimal, with obvious imperfections
 Analysis and synthesis: barely adequate
 Use of references: barely appropriate
o 21–23
 Knowledge and understanding: routine
 Analysis and synthesis: correct, logical and coherent argumentation
 Use of references: standard
o 24–26
 Knowledge and understanding: good
 Analysis and synthesis: good, coherent presentation
 Use of references: standard
o 27–29
 Knowledge and understanding: more than good
 Analysis and Summary: Remarkable
 Use of References: With Further Information
or 30–30L
 Knowledge and Comprehension: Excellent
 Analysis and Synthesis: Excellent
 Use of References: Significant Further Information

Learning assessment may also be carried out on-line, should the conditions require it.

To ensure equal opportunities and in compliance with current laws, students may request a personal interview in order to plan any compensatory and/or dispensatory measures based on educational objectives and specific needs. Students can also contact the CInAP (Centro per l’integrazione Attiva e Partecipata — Servizi per le Disabilità e/o DSA) through the referring professor within the department, (https://www.cinap.unict.it/content/referenti).

Examples of frequently asked questions and / or exercises

Role of innovations in the competitiveness of economic systems; major innovations in the development of modern agriculture; the development of mechanization and contracting; the European Partnership for Innovation in Agriculture; determining the cost-effectiveness of introducing precision agriculture on the farm.