Notice Board

M.Sc. in Agricultural Economics

 M.Sc. in Agricultural Economics

AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS  

Course Structure - at a Glance

 

COURSE TITLE 

  • MICRO ECONOMIC THEORY AND APPLICATION 
  • MACRO ECONOMICS AND POLICY 
  • EVOLUTION OF ECONOMIC THOUGHT 
  • AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION ECONOMICS 
  • AGRICULTURAL MARKETING & PRICE ANALYSIS 
  • RESEARCH METHODOLOGY FOR SOCIAL SCIENCES 
  • ECONOMETRICS  
  • LINEAR PROGRAMMING 
  • AGRICULTURAL FINANCE AND PROJECT 
  • MANAGEMENT 
  • INTERNATIONAL ECONOMICS 
  • INSTITUTIONAL ECONOMICS 
  • AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT POLICY ANALYSIS 
  • NATURAL RESOURCE AND ENVIRONMENTAL 
  • ECONOMICS 
  • INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT  
  • COMPUTER APPLICATION FOR AGRICULTURAL 
  • ECONOMICS 
  • RURAL MARKETING 
  • COMMODITY FUTURES TRADING 
  • MASTER'S SEMINAR 
  • MASTER'S RESEARCH 
  • ADVANCED MICROECONOMIC ANALYSIS 
  • ADVANCED MACROECONOMICS ANALYSIS 
  • ADVANCED ECONOMETRICS 
  • ADVANCED PRODUCTION ECONOMICS 
  • QUANTITATIVE DEVELOPMENT POLICY ANALYSIS 
  • ADVANCED AGRICULTURAL MARKETING AND 
  • PRICE ANALYSIS 
  • COMMODITY FUTURES TRADING 
  • NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT ENVIRONMENTAL ECONOMICS 
  • DOCTORAL SEMINAR I DOCTORAL SEMINAR II 
  • DOCTORAL RESEARCH 

 

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AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS  

Course Contents

 

MICRO ECONOMIC THEORY AND APPLICATIONS

Objective  

  • This  course  is  intended  to  provide  an  overview  of  microeconomic  theory  and   its   applications.   The   course   starts   with   the   theory   of   consumer  behaviour   consisting   of   consumer's   utility   maximization   problem   and  demand theory. It intends to provide fundamental concepts and models in  the   theory   of   production   and   costs   and   sets   out   to   provide   a   basic  understanding of price and / or output determination under different types  of market structures including factor markets. This course will also expose  the students to the theory of general equilibrium and welfare economics.  

 

Theory 

  • UNIT I
  • Theory  of  Consumer  Behaviour  -  Cardinal  Utility  Approach  -  Ordinal  Utility Approach - Income effect and substitution effect - Applications of  Indifference curve approach - Revealed Preference Hypothesis - Consumer  surplus - Derivation of Demand curve - Elasticity of demand.  
  • UNIT II
  • Theory   of  Production  -   Production  functions   -   Returns   to   scale   and  economies of scale - Technical progress - Theory of Costs - Cost curves-  Profit maximization and cost minimization - Derivation of supply curve -  Law of Supply - Producers' surplus.  
  • UNIT III
  • Market Equilibrium - Behavior of Firms in Competitive Markets - Perfect  Competition-  Effect  of  Taxation  and  Subsidies  on  market  equilibrium  -  Monopoly- Monopolistic - Oligopoly- Theory of Factor Markets.  
  • UNIT IV
  • General  Equilibrium  Theory  -  Welfare  Economics  -  Pareto  Optimality  -  Social welfare criteria - Social Welfare functions.  

 

Suggested Readings 

  • David M Kreps 1990.  A Course in Microeconomic Theory. Princeton  University Press.  
  • Dewitt KK. 2002. Modern Economic Theory. Sultan Chand & Co.  
  • Henderson    JM    &    Quandt    RE.    2000.    Microeconomic    Theory:    A Mathematical Approach. McGraw-Hill.  
  • Koutsoyiannis A. 2003. Modern Microeconomics. The Macmillan Press.  
  • Silberberg   E   &   Suen   W.   2001.   The   Structure   of   Economics   -   A Mathematical Analysis. McGraw-Hill.  
  • Varian  Hal  R.  1999.  Intermediate  Microeconomics.  Affiliated  East-West  Press.  

 

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MACRO ECONOMICS AND POLICY 

Objective  

  • Macro  economics  and Policy  course is  intended  to  expose  the students  to  macroeconomic   concepts   and   theory,   the   application   of   the   macro  economic theory, and implication of the macroeconomic policies.  

 

Theory  

  • UNIT I
  • Nature  and  Scope  of  Macro  Economics  -  Methodology  and  Keynesian Concepts  National Income  -  Concepts  and  measurement-  Classical theory of   Employment   and   Say's   Law-Modern   theory   of   Employment   and Effective Demand. 
  • UNIT II
  • Consumption  function-  Investment  and    savings  -  Concept  of  Multiplier and  Accelerator  -  Output  and  Employment  -  Rate  of  interest  -  Classical, Neo classical and Keynesian version- Classical theory Vs Keynesian theory - Unemployment and Full employment. 
  • UNIT III
  • Money  and  classical  theories  of  Money  and  Price  -  Keynesian  theory  of money  and  Friedman  Restatement  theory  of  money  -  Supply  of  Money  - Demand for Money -Inflation: Nature, Effects and control. 
  • UNIT IV
  • IS & LM frame work - General Equilibrium of product and money markets -Monetary  policy  -  Fiscal  policy-  Effectiveness  of  Monetary  and  Fiscal policy - Central banking. 
  • UNIT V
  • Business   cycles   -   Balance   of   Payment   -   Foreign   Exchange   Rate determination. 

 

Suggested Readings  

  • Ahuja HL. 2007. Macroeconomics: Theory and Policy. S. Chand & Co. 
  • Eugene A Diulio 2006. Macroeconomics. 4   Ed. Schaums' Outlines. 
  • Gardner  Ackely  1987.    Macro  Economic:  Theory  and  Policy.    Collier Macmillan. 
  • Dornbusch. 2006. Macroeconomics. McGraw Hill Publication 

 

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EVOLUTION OF ECONOMIC THOUGHT

Objective  

  • To  introduce  the  students  to  the  evolution  of  economic  thought  over  a  period of time, the background of emanation of thoughts and approaches, as  acts of balancing and counter balancing events and criticisms. The course  will also in a comprehensive way help the students to know and appreciate  the contributions of the Galaxy of Economists.  

 

Theory 

  • UNIT 1
  • Approaches for the study  of  history  of  economic thought - Absolutist vs.  
  • Relativist  approaches  -  Evolution  of  Economic  Thought  vs.  Economic  History.   Ancient   economic   thought   -   medieval   economic   thought   -  mercantilism - physiocracy - Forerunners of Classical Political Economy.  
  • UNIT II
  • Development  of  Classical  Thoughts  (Adam  Smith,  Robert  Malthus  and  David Ricardo) - Critics of Classical Thoughts- Socialist critics - Socialist  and  Marxian  Economic  Ideas  -  Austrian  School  of  Thought  -  Origins  of  Formal  Microeconomic  Analysis  -  William  Stanley  Jevons,  Cournot  and  Dupuit.  
  • UNIT III
  • The  birth  of  neoclassical  economic  thought  -  Marshall  and  Walras  -  General Equilibrium Theory - Welfare Theory - Keynesian economics.  
  • UNIT IV
  • The Era of globalization - Experiences of developing world - Rigidity  of  the   past   vs.   emerging   realism   -   The   changing   path   of   international  Institutions to economic growth and   development approaches.  
  • UNIT V
  • Economic Thought in India - Naoroji and Gokhale - Gandhian Economics  
  • Economic thought of independent India - Nehru's economic philosophy -  Experiences   of   the   Structural   adjustment   programmes   of   the   post  liberalization era.  

 

Suggested Readings 

  • Blaug M. 1964. Economic Theory in Retrospect. Heineman.  
  • Blaug M. 1986. Economic History and the History of Economic Thought.  Wheatsheaf Books, Brighton.  
  • Ekelund  RB  &  Hebert  RF.  1975.  A  History  of  Economic  Theory  and Methods. McGraw-Hill.  
  • John Mills A. 2002. Critical History of Economics: Missed Opportunities.  Palgrave Macmillan.  
  • Screpanti  E  &  Zamagni  S.  1995.  An  Outline  of  the  History  of  Economic Thought. Clarendon Press, Oxford.  

 

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AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION ECONOMICS

Objective  

  • To expose the students to the concept, significance and uses of agricultural  production economics.  

 

Theory 

  • UNIT I
  • Nature,   scope   and   significance   of   agricultural   production   economics-  Agricultural   Production   processes,   character   and   dimensions-spatial,  temporal  -  Centrality  of  production  functions,  assumptions  of  production  functions,  commonly  used  forms  -  Properties,  limitations,  specification,  estimation and interpretation of commonly used production functions.  
  • UNIT II
  • Factors    of    production,    classification,    interdependence,    and    factor  substitution  -Determination  of  optimal  levels  of  production  and  factor  application  -Optimal  factor  combination  and  least  cost  combination  of  production   -   Theory   of   product   choice;   selection   of   optimal   product  combination.  
  • UNIT III
  • Cost  functions  and  cost  curves,  components,  and  cost  minimization  -  
  • Duality  theory  -  cost  and  production  functions  and  its  applications  -  Derivation of firm's input demand and output supply functions -Economies  and diseconomies of scale.  
  • UNIT IV
  • Technology in agricultural production, nature and effects and measurement  
  • Measuring efficiency in agricultural production; technical, allocative and  
  • economic  efficiencies  - Yield  gap  analysis-concepts-types  and  measurement - Nature and sources of risk, modeling and coping strategies.  

 

Practical 

  • Different  forms  of  production  functions  -  specification,  estimation  and  interpretation  of  production  functions  -  returns  to  scale,  factor  shares,  elasticity   of   production   -   physical   optima-economic   optima-least   cost  combination-     optimal     product     choice-     cost     function     estimation,  interpretation-estimation  of  yield  gap  -  incorporation  of  technology  in  production  functions-  measuring  returns  to  scale-risk  analysis  through  linear programming.  

 

Suggested Readings 

  • Beattie BR & Taylor CR. 1985. The Economics of Production. John Wiley  & Sons.  
  • Doll   JP   &   Frank   O.   1978.   Production   Economics   -   Theory   and Applications. John Wiley & Sons.  
  • Gardner  BL  &  Rausser  GC.  2001.  Handbook  of  Agricultural  Economics.  
  • Vol. I. Agricultural Production. Elsevier.  
  • Heady  EO.  Economics  of  Agricultural  Production  and  Resource  Use.  Prentice-Hall.  
  • Sankayan  PL.  1983.  Introduction  to  Farm  Management.  Tata  Mc  Graw  Hill.  

 

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AGRICULTURAL MARKETING AND PRICE ANALYSIS 

Objective  

  • To   impart   adequate   knowledge   and   analytical   skills   in   the   field   of  agricultural  marketing  issues,  and  enhance  expertise  in  improving  the  performance  of the  marketing institutions  and the players in  marketing  of  agricultural commodities.  

 

Theory 

  • UNIT I
  • Review   of   Concepts   in   Agricultural   Marketing   -   Characteristic   of  Agricultural product and Production - Problems in Agricultural Marketing  from Demand and Supply and Institutions sides. Market intermediaries and  their  role  -  Need  for  regulation  in  the  present  context  -  Marketable  &  Marketed surplus estimation. Marketing Efficiency - Structure Conduct and  Performance  analysis  -  Vertical  and  Horizontal  integration  -  Integration  over space, time and form-Vertical co-ordination.  
  • UNIT II
  • Marketing Co-operatives - APMC Regulated Markets - Direct  marketing,  
  • Contract farming and Retailing - Supply Chain Management - State trading,  
  • Warehousing and other Government agencies -Performance and Strategies  -  Market  infrastructure  needs,  performance  and  Government  role  -  Value  Chain Finance.  
  • UNIT III
  • Role  of  Information  Technology  and  telecommunication  in  marketing  of  agricultural  commodities  -  Market  research-Market  information  service  -  electronic   auctions   (e-bay),   e-Chaupals,   Agmarket   and   Domestic   and  Export market Intelligence Cell (DEMIC) - Market extension.  
  • UNIT IV
  • Spatial  and  temporal  price  relationship  -  price  forecasting  -  time  series  analysis - time series models - spectral analysis. Price policy and economic  development - non-price instruments.  
  • UNIT V
  • Theory of storage - Introduction to Commodities markets and future trading  -  Basics  of  commodity  futures  -  Operation  Mechanism  of  Commodity  markets  -  Price  discovery  -  Hedging  and  Basis  -  Fundamental  analysis  -  Technical Analysis - Role of Government in promoting commodity trading  and regulatory measures.  

 

Practical 

  • Supply  and  demand  elasticities  in  relation  to  problems  in  agricultural  marketing.   Price   spread   and   marketing   efficiency   analysis.   Marketing  structure  analysis  through  concentration  ratios.  Performance  analysis  of  Regulated  market  and  marketing  societies.  Analysis  on  contract  farming  and supply  chain  management of  different  agricultural commodities,  milk  and  poultry  products.  Chain  Analysis  -  quantitative  estimation  of  supply  chain  efficiency  -  Market  Intelligence  -  Characters,  Accessibility,  and  Availability  Price  forecasting.  Online  searches  for  market  information  sources  and  interpretation  of  market  intelligence  reports  -  commodity  outlook  -  Technical  Analysis  for  important  agricultural  commodities  -  Fundamental     Analysis     for     important     agricultural     commodities     -  Presentation of the survey results and wrap-up discussion.  
  • Suggested Readings 
  • Purecell  WD  &  Koontz  SR.  1999.  Agricultural  Futures  and  Options: 
  • Principles and Strategies.  2    Ed. Prentice-Hall.  
  • Rhodes VJ. 1978. The Agricultural Marketing System. Grid Publ., Ohio.  
  • Shepherd  SG  &  Gene  AF.  1982.  Marketing  Farm  Products.  Iowa  State  Univ. Press.  
  • Singhal  AK.  1986.  Agricultural  Marketing  in  India.  Annual  Publ.,  New  Delhi.  

 

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RESEARCH METHODOLOGY FOR SOCIAL SCIENCES

Objective  

  • To  expose  the  students  to  research  methodology  used  in  social  sciences.  The focus will be on providing knowledge related to research process, data  collection and data analysis etc.  

 

Theory 

  • UNIT I
  • Importance  and  scope  of  research  in  agricultural  economics.  Types  of  research  -  Fundamental  vs.  Applied.  Concept  of  researchable  problem  -  research   prioritization   -   selection   of   research   problem.   Approach   to  research - research process.  
  • UNIT II
  • Hypothesis  -  meaning  -  characteristics  -  types  of  hypothesis  -  review  of  literature   -   setting   of   Course   Objective   and   hypotheses   -   testing   of  hypothesis.  
  • UNIT III
  • Sampling  theory  and  sampling  design  -  sampling  error  -  methods  of  sampling -  probability and non-probability  sampling  methods - criteria to  choose. Project proposals - contents and scope - different types of projects  to  meet  different  needs  -  trade-off  between  scope  and  cost  of  the  study.  Research design and techniques - Types of research design.  
  • UNIT IV
  • Data collection - assessment of data needs - sources of data collection -  discussion  of  different  situations.    Mailed  questionnaire  and  interview  schedule   -   structured,   unstructured,   open   ended   and   closed-ended  questions.  Scaling  Techniques.    Preparation  of  schedule  -  problems  in  measurement of variables in agriculture. Interviewing techniques and field  problems  -  methods  of  conducting  survey  -  Reconnaissance  survey  and  Pre testing.  
  • UNIT V
  • Coding  editing  -  tabulation  -  validation  of  data.  Tools  of  analysis  -  data  processing.  Interpretation  of  results  -  Preparing  research  report  /  thesis  -  Universal procedures for preparation of bibliography - writing of research  articles.  

 

Practical 

  • Exercises in problem identification. Project proposals - contents and scope.  Formulation  of  Objective  and  hypotheses.  Assessment  of  data  needs  -  sources  of  data  -  methods  of  collection  of  data.  Methods  of  sampling  -  criteria  to  choose  -  discussion  on  sampling  under  different  situations.  Scaling  Techniques  -  measurement  of  scales.  Preparation  of  interview  schedule - Field testing. Method of conducting survey. Exercise on coding,  editing,  tabulation  and  validation  of  data.  Preparing  for  data  entry  into  computer.  Hypothesis  testing  -  Parametric  and  Non-Parametric    Tests.  Exercises on format for Thesis / Report writing. Presentation of the results.  

 

Suggested Readings 

  • Black  TR.  1993.  Evaluating  Social  Science  Research  -  An  Introduction.  SAGE Publ.  
  • Creswell   JW.   1999.   Research   Design   -   Qualitative   and   Quantitative Approaches. SAGE Publ.  
  • Dhondyal   SP.   1997.   Research   Methodology   in   Social   Sciences   and Essentials of Thesis Writing. Amman Publ. House, New Delhi.  
  • Kothari  CR.  2004.  Research  Methodology  -  Methods  and  Techniques.  Wishwa Prakashan, Chennai.  
  • Rao  KV.  1993.  Research  Methodology  in  Commerce  and  Management.  Sterling Publ., New Delhi.  
  • Singh   AK.   1993.   Tests,   Measurements   and   Research   Methods   in Behavioural Sciences. Tata McGraw-Hill.  
  • Venkatasubramanian  V.  1999.  Introduction  to  Research  Methodology  in Agricultural and Biological Sciences. SAGE Publ.  

 

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ECONOMETRICS

Objective  

  • The Course Objective of the course is to impart knowledge on econometric  tools  to  the  students  of  agricultural  economics.  Training  in  econometrics  will   help   the   student   to   analyze   the   economic   problem   by   applying  quantitative techniques.  

 

Theory  

  • UNIT I
  • Introduction   -   relationship   between   economic   theory,   mathematical economics,   models   and   econometrics,   methodology   of   econometrics- regression analysis. 
  • UNIT II
  • Basic two variable regression - assumptions estimation and interpretation- approaches to estimation - OLS, MLE and their properties - extensions to multi variable models-multiple regression estimation and interpretation. 
  • UNIT III
  • Violation  of  assumptions  -  identification,  consequences  and  remedies  for Multicollinearity,  heteroscedasticity,  autocorrelation  -  data  problems  and remedial approaches - model misspecification. 
  • UNIT IV
  • Use   of   dummy   variables-limited   dependent   variables   -   specification, estimation and interpretation. 
  • UNIT V
  • Simultaneous   equation   models   -   structural   equations   -   reduced   form equations - identification and approaches to estimation. 

 

Practical  

  • Single   equation   two   variable   model   specification   and   estimation   - hypothesis   testing-       transformations   of   functional   forms   and   OLS application-estimation  of  multiple  regression  model  -  hypothesis  testing  - testing   and   correcting   specification   errors   -   testing   and   managing Multicollinearity  -  testing  and  managing  heteroscedasticity  -  testing  and managing autocorrelation - estimation of regressions with dummy variables - estimation of regression with limited dependent variable - identification of equations in simultaneous equation systems. 

 

Suggested Readings  

  • Gujarati DN. 2003. Basic Econometrics. McGraw Hill. 
  • Johnson AG Jr., Johnson MB & Buse RC. 1990. Econometrics - Basic and Applied. MacMillan. 
  • Kelejan  HH  &  Oates  WE.  1994.Introduction  to  Econometrics  Principles and Applications. Harper and Row Publ. 
  • Koutsoyianis A. 1997. Theory of Econometrics. Barner & Noble. 
  • Maddala GS. 1992. Introduction to Econometrics.  MacMillan. 
  • Maddala GS. 1997. Econometrics. McGraw Hill. 
  • Pindyck RS & Rubinfeld DL. 1990. Econometrics Models and Econometric Forecasts. McGraw Hill. 

 

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LINEAR PROGRAMMING

Objective  

  • The  Course  Objective  of  the  course  is  to  impart  knowledge  of  Linear  programming techniques.  

 

Theory 

  • UNIT I
  • Decision    Making-    Concepts    of    decision    making,    introduction    to  quantitative  tools,  introduction  to  linear  programming,  uses  of  LP  in  different fields, graphic solution to problems, formulation of problems.  
  • UNIT II
  • Simplex Method: Concept of simplex Method, solving profit maximization  and  cost  minimizations  problems.  Formulation  of  farms  and  non  farm  problems as linear programming models and solutions.  
  • UNIT III
  • Extension  of  Linear  Programming  models:  Variable  resource  and  price  programming,  transportation  problems,  recursive  programming,  dynamic  programming.  
  • UNIT IV
  • Game  Theory-  Concepts  of  game  theory,  two  person  constant  sum,  zero  sum game, saddle point, solution to mixed strategies, the rectangular game  as Linear Programme.  

 

Practical 

  • Graphical   and   algebraic   formulation   of   linear   programming   models.  
  • Solving  of  maximization  and  minimization  problems  by  simplex  method.  Formulation of the simplex matrices for typical farm situations.  

 

Suggested Readings 

  • Dorfman  R.  1996.  Linear  Programming  &  Economic  Analysis.  McGraw  Hill.  
  • Loomba NP.2006. Linear Programming. Tata McGraw Hill.  
  • Shenoy  G.  1989.  Linear  Programming-Principles  &  Applications.  Wiley  Eastern Publ.  
  • Vaserstein. 2006. Introduction to Linear Programming. Pearson Education  Publication  

 

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AGRICULTURAL FINANCE AND PROJECT MANAGEMENT

Objective  

  • The  Course  Objective  of  the  course  is  to  impart  knowledge  on  issues  related  to  lending  to  priority  sector  credit  management  and  financial  risk  management. The course would bring in the various appraisal techniques in  project - investment of agricultural projects.  

 

Theory 

  • UNIT I
  • Role  and  Importance  of  Agricultural  Finance.  Financial  Institutions  and  credit  flow   to  rural/priority   sector.  Agricultural  lending   -  Direct   and  Indirect   Financing   -   Financing   through   Co-operatives,   NABARD   and  Commercial   Banks   and   RRBs.   District   Credit   Plan   and   lending   to  agriculture/priority  sector.  Micro-Financing  and  Role  of  MFI's  -  NGO's,  and SHG's.  
  • UNIT II
  • Lending  to  farmers  -  The  concept  of  3  C's,  7  P's  and  3  R's  of  credit.  Estimation   of   Technical   feasibility,   Economic   viability   and   repaying  capacity  of  borrowers  and  appraisal  of  credit  proposals.  Understanding  lenders  and  developing  better  working  relationship  and supervisory  credit  system. Credit inclusions - credit widening and credit deepening.  
  • UNIT III
  • Financial  Decisions  -  Investment,  Financing,  Liquidity  and  Solvency.  Preparation of financial statements - Balance Sheet, Cash Flow Statement  and   Profit   and   Loss   Account.   Ratio   Analysis   and   Assessing   the  performance of farm/firm.  
  • UNIT IV
  • Project   Approach   in   financing   agriculture.   Financial,   economic   and  environmental appraisal of investment projects. Identification, preparation,  appraisal,  financing  and  implementation  of  projects.  Project  Appraisal  techniques  -  Undiscounted  measures.  Time  value  of  money  -  Use  of  discounted measures - B-C ratio, NPV and IRR. Agreements, supervision,  monitoring  and  evaluation  phases  in  appraising  agricultural  investment  projects. Net work Techniques - PERT and CPM.  
  • UNIT V
  • Risks  in  financing  agriculture.  Risk  management  strategies  and  coping  mechanism.   Crop   Insurance   programmes   -   review   of   different   crop  insurance  schemes  -  yield  loss  and  weather  based  insurance  and  their  applications.  

 

Practical 

  • Development  of  Rural  Institutional  Lending  -  Branch  expansion,  demand  and  supply  of  institutional  agricultural  credit  and  Over  dues  and  Loan  waiving- : An overview, Rural Lending Programmes of Commercial Banks,  Lead  Bank  Scheme-  Preparation  of  District  Credit  Plan,    Rural  Lending  Programmes of Co-operative Lending Institutions, Preparation of financial  statements using farm/firm level data, Farm credit appraisal techniques and  farm financial analysis through financial statements, Performance of Micro  Financing  Institutions  -  NGO's  and  Self-Help  Groups,  Identification  and  formulation   of   investment   projects,   Project   appraisal   techniques   -  Undiscounted Measures and their limitations.   Project appraisal techniques  - Discounted Measures, Network techniques - PERT and CPM for project  management,  Case  Study  Analysis  of  an  Agricultural  project,  Financial  Risk  and risk  management  strategies -  crop  insurance schemes,  Financial  instruments and methods - E banking, Kisan Cards and core banking.  

 

Suggested Readings 

  • Dhubashi  PR.  1986.    Policy  and  Performance  -  Agricultural  and  Rural Development in Post Independent India. Sage Publ.  
  • Gittinger JP 1982. Economic Analysis of Agricultural Projects. The Johns  Hopkins Univ. Press.  
  • Gupta  SC.  1987.  Development  Banking  for  Rural  Development.  Deep  &  Deep Publ.  
  • Little  IMD  &  Mirlees  JA.  1974.  Project  Appraisal  and  Planning  for Developing Countries. Oxford & IBH Publ.  
  • Muniraj R. 1987. Farm Finance for Development. Oxford & IBH Publ.  

 

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INTERNATIONAL ECONOMICS

Objective  

  • The expected outcome of this course will be creating awareness among the  students about the role of International Economics on National welfare.  

 

Theory 

  • UNIT I
  • Scope  and  Significance  of  International  Economics  -  The  role  of  trade-  General   Equilibrium   in   a   Closed   Economy   (Autarky   Equilibrium)   -  Equilibrium  in  a  Simple  Open  Economy  -  Possibility  of  World  Trade  -  Trade gains and Trade Equilibrium.  
  • UNIT II
  • Tariff,   Producer   Subsidy,   Export   Subsidy,   Import   Quota   and   Export  Voluntary Restraints- The Case of Small Country and Large Country Case.  
  • UNIT III
  • Ricardian  Model  of  Trade-  Specific  Factors  Model-  Heckscher  -  Ohlin  
  • Model  -  Trade  Creation  and  Trade  Diversion  -  Offer  Curve  -  Export  Supply Elasticity and Import Demand Elasticity - Comparative Advantage  and Absolute Advantage.  
  • UNIT IV
  • Official  Exchange  Rate  and  Shadow  Exchange  Rate  -  Walra's  Law  and  Terms of Trade - Trade Blocks.  
  • UNIT V
  • IMF,  World  Bank,  IDA,  IFC,  ADB  -  International  Trade  agreements  -  Uruguay Round - GATT - WTO.  

 

Practical 

  • Producer's  Surplus,  Consumer's  Surplus,  National  Welfare  under  Autarky  and  Free  Trade  Equilibrium  with  small  and  large  country  assumption-  Estimation  of  Trade  Gains-  Estimation  of  competitive  and  comparative  measures  like  NPC,  EPC,  ERP  and  DRC-  Estimation  of  Offer  Curve  
  • Elasticity-   Estimation   of   Effect   of   Tariff,   Export   Subsidy,   Producer  
  • Subsidy,   Import   Quota   and   Export   Voluntary   Restraints   on   National  Welfare-  Estimation  of  Ricardian  Model  -  Estimation  of  Effect  of  Trade  under   Specific   Factor   Model-   Estimation   of   trade   Equilibrium   under  Heckscher -Ohlin model - Trade Creation and Diversion.  

 

Suggested Readings 

  • Apple  Yard  DR  &  Field  AJ  Jr.  1995.  International  Economics  -  Trade, Theory and Policy. Irwin, Chicago.  
  • Cherunilam F. 1998. International Economics. Tata McGraw Hill.  
  • Krugman PR & Obstfeld M. 2000. International Economics - Theory and Policy. Addison-Wesley.  

 

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AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT AND POLICIES 

Objectives  

  • to provide orientation to the students regarding the concepts and measures of economic development 
  • to  provide  orientation  on  theories  of  economic  growth  and  relevance  of theories in developing countries. 
  • to  make  them  to  understand  the  agricultural  policies  and  its  effect  on sustainable agricultural development 
  • to make them to understand the globalization and its impact on agricultural development. 

 

Theory 

  • UNIT I
  • Development Economics - Scope and Importance - Economic development and economic growth - divergence in concept and approach - Indicators and Measurement of Economic Development - GNP as a measure of economic growth  -  New  Measures  of  Welfare  -  NEW  and  MEW  - PQLI  -  HDI  - Green  GNP  -  Criteria  for  under  development  -  Obstacles  to  economic development - Economic and Non-Economic factors of economic growth. 
  • UNIT II
  • Economic   development   -   meaning,   stages   of   economic   development,  determinants   of   economic   growth.   Theories   of   economic   growth   -  Ricardian growth model - The Harrod - Domar Model - The Neo classical  
  • Model  of  Growth  -  The  Kaldor  Model  -  Optimal  Economic  Growth  -  Recent Experiences of developing country economies in transition - Role  of  state  in  economic  development  -  Government  measures  to  promote  economic development. Introduction to development planning.  
  • UNIT III
  • Role   of   agriculture   in   economic   /   rural   development   -   theories   of  agricultural  development  -  Population  and  food  supply  -  need  for  sound  agricultural policies - resource policies - credit policies - input and product  marketing policies - price policies.  
  • UNIT IV
  • Development issues, poverty, inequality, unemployment and environmental  degradation  -  Models  of  Agricultural  Development  -  Induced  Innovation  Model - policy options for sustainable agricultural development.  
  • UNIT V
  • Globalization  and  the  relevance  of  development  policy  analysis  -  The  dilemma  of  free  trade?  -  Free  trade  versus  Protectionism-  Arguments  for  protection. Arguments against protection. Role of protection in Developing  Countries. WTO - Agreement on Agriculture - Contradictions of free trade  - proponents and opponents policies in vulnerable sectors like agriculture -  Lessons for developing countries.  

 

Suggested Readings 

  • Chakaravathi RM. 1986. Under Development and Choices in Agriculture.  Heritage Publ., New Delhi.  
  • Diwett KK. 2002. Modern Economic Theory. S. Chand & Co.  
  • Eicher  KC  &  Staatz  JM.  1998.  International  Agricultural  Development.  Johns Hopkins Univ. Press.  
  • Frank  E.  1992.  Agricultural  Polices  in  Developing  Countries.  Cambridge  Univ. Press.  
  • Ghatak  S  &  Ingersent  K.  1984.  Agriculture  and  Economic  Development.  
  • Select Book Service Syndicate, New Delhi.  
  • Jhingan ML. 1998. The Economics of Development and Planning. Vrinda  Publ.  
  • Jules  PN.  1995.  Regenerating  Agriculture  -  Polices  and  Practice  for Sustainability and Self Reliance. Vikas Publ. House.  
  • Naqvi  SNH.  2002.  Development  Economics  -  Nature  and  Significance.  Sage Publ.  

 

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INSTITUTIONAL ECONOMICS 

Objective  

  • The course exposes the students to the institutional problems and remedies.  

 

Theory 

  • UNIT I
  • Old  and  New  Institutional  Economics  -  Institutional  Economics  Vs  Neo-  classical   Economics.   Definition   of   institutions   -   Distinction   between  institutions and organizations - Institutional evolution  Institutional         change            and      economic              performance   -           national           and international    economic    institutions.    
  • UNIT II
  • Transaction    cost    economics    -  Transaction  costs  and  the  allocation  of  resources.  Transaction  costs  and  efficiency.  Asymmetric  information  -  Moral  hazard  and  Principal-Agent  problem.  
  • UNIT III
  • Free rider problem - path dependency - Interlinked transactions. Collective  action  and  the  elimination  of  free-rider  problem  -  The  logic  of  collective  action and its role in reducing free rider problem - theory of Groups. Rent  seeking - interest groups and policy formulation.  
  • UNIT IV
  • Economic  analysis  of  property  rights-  property  rights  regimes  -  private  property - State Property - Common property  Resources (CPRs) - public  goods and club goods.  
  • UNIT V
  • Special  features  of  institutional  arrangements  in  agriculture  -  Transaction  costs  in  agriculture  -  Case  Studies  -  Theories  of  agrarian  institutions  -  tenancy institutions.  

 

Suggested Readings 

  • Barzel, Y. 1990. Economic Analysis of Property Rights. Cambridge Univ.  Press.  
  • Bhardhan  P.  (Ed.).  1989.  The  Economic  Theory  of  Agrarian  Institutions.  Clarendon Press, Oxford.  
  • Bromley  DW. 1989. Economic Interests and Institutions: The Conceptual Foundations of Public Policy. Basil Blackwell, Cambridge.  
  • Eggertsson  T.  1990.  Economic  Behaviour  and  Institutions.  Cambridge  Univ. Press.  
  • Greif A. 2006. Institutions and the Path to the Modern Economy: Lessons from Medieval Trade (Political Economy of Institutions &Decisions). Cambridge Univ. Press. 
  • Neelakandan S. 1992. New Institutional Economics and Agrarian Change - A  Primer.  Indian  Economic  Association  Trust  for  Research  and  Development, New Delhi.  
  • North    DC.   1990.    Institutions,    Institutional    Change    and    Economic Performance. Cambridge Univ. Press.  
  • Ostrom  E.  1990.  Governing  the  Commons:  The  Evolutions  of  Institutions for Collective Actions. Cambridge Univ. Press.  

 

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NATURAL RESOURCE AND ENVIRONMENTAL ECONOMICS  

Objectives  

  • To   introduce   economics   principles   related   to   natural   resource   and environmental economics 
  • To explore the concept of efficiency and the efficient allocation of natural resources 
  • To understand the economics of why environmental problems occur. 
  • To explore the concept of efficiency and the efficient allocation of pollution control and pollution prevention decisions. 
  • To understand the environmental policy issues and alternative instruments of environmental policies 

 

Theory 

  • UNIT I
  • Concepts,  Classification  and  Problems  of  Natural  Resource  Economics  - 
  • Economy  -  Environment  interaction  -  The  Material  Balance  principle, Entropy  law-  Resources  Scarcity  -  Limits  to  Growth  -  Measuring  and mitigating natural resource scarcity - Malthusian and Recardian scarcity - scarcity indices - Resource Scarcity and Technical Change. 
  • UNIT II
  • Theory of optimal extraction renewable resources -economic models of oil extraction- efficiency - time path of prices and extraction - Hotelling's rule, Solow-Harwick's Rule. Theory of optimal extraction exhaustible resources -economic models of forestry and fishery. 
  • UNIT III
  • Efficiency and markets - market failures - externalities - types - property rights - transaction costs - Coase's theorem and its critique - public goods - common  property  and  open  access  resource  management  -  Collective action. 
  • UNIT IV
  • Environmental perspectives - biocentrism, sustainability, anthropocentrism - Environmental problems and quality of environment - Sources and types of pollution -air, water, solid waste, land degradation - environmental and economic impacts - Economics of pollution control -  efficient reduction in environmental pollution. 
  • UNIT V
  • Environmental  regulation  -  economic  instruments  -  pollution  charges  - Pigovian  tax  -  tradable  permits  -  indirect  instruments  -  environmental legislations in India. 
  • UNIT VI
  • Concept of sustainable development -   Economic   Perspective - Indicators of  sustainability  Relation  between  development  and  environment  stress- Environmental   Kuznet's   curve   Environmental   Accounting   -   resource accounting methods - International Environmental Issues - climate change - likely impacts -mitigation efforts and international treaties. 

 

Practical 

  • Exhaustible   resource   management   -optimum   rate   of   oil   extraction. 
  • Renewable  resource  management  -  optimum  harvest  of  Forestry/fishery. 
  • Exercise  on  pollution  abatement  -I.  Exercise  on  pollution  abatement  -II. 
  • Concepts  in  valuing  the  environment.  Taxonomy  of  valuation  techniques. Productivity  change  method  -  substitute  cost  method  -  Hedonic  price method - Travel cost method -Contingent valuation methods. Discount rate in  natural  resource  management.  Environment  impact  assessment  Visit  to Pollution Control Board. 

 

Suggested Readings 

  • Ahmad Y, El Serafy S & Lutz E. (Eds.). 1989.Environmental Accounting for Sustainable Development. World Bank. 
  • Freeman  AM.  1993.  The  Measurement  of  Environmental  and  Resource Values. Resources for the Future Press, Baltimore. 
  • Hackett   SC.   2001.   Environmental   and   Natural   Resource   Economics: 
  • Theory, Policy, and the Sustainable Society. M. E. Sharpe, Armonk, NY. 
  • Hartwick  JM  &  Olewiler  ND.  1998.  The  Economics  of  Natural  Resource  Use. 2    Ed. Addison-Wesley Educational Publ. 
  • Kerr JM, Marothia DK, Katar Singh, Ramasamy C & Bentley WR. 1997. 
  • Natural  Resource  Economics:  Theory  and  Applications  in  India.  Oxford & IBH. 
  • Kolstad  CD. 2000. Environmental Economics. Oxford Univ. Press. 
  • Pearce  DW  &  Turner  K.  1990.  Economics  of  Natural  Resources  and  the  Environment. John Hopkins Univ. Press. 
  • Prato T. 1998. Natural Resource and Environmental Economics. Iowa State Univ. Press. 
  • Sankar U. 2001. Environmental Economics. Oxford Univ. Press. 
  • Sengupta  R.  2000.  Ecology  and  Economy,  an  Indian  Perspective.  Oxford Univ. Press.        th  
  • Tietenberg  T.  2003.  Environmental  and  Natural  Resource  Economics.  6 Ed. Addison Wesley. 

 

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INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT

Objective  

  • The Course Objective of the course is to create awareness about intellectual  property rights in agriculture. The course deals with management of patents,  trademark,   geographical   indications,   copy   rights,   designs,   plant   variety  protection  and  bio-diversity  protection.  The  students  will  be  taught  on  the  Marketing and Commercialization of Intellectual Properties.  

 

Theory 

  • UNIT I
  • World    Trade   Organization-    Agreement    on    Agriculture   (AoA)    and Intellectual  Property  Rights  (IPR)  -  Importance  of  Intellectual  Property  Management - IPR  and  Economic  growth-  IPR  and  Bio  diversity  -Major  areas of concern in Intellectual Property Management -Technology Transfer  and Commercialization-Forms  of  different  Intellectual  Properties  generated  by agricultural research.  
  • UNIT II
  • Discovery  versus  Invention  -  Patentability  of  Biological  Inventions  -  Method  of  Agriculture  and  Horticulture-  procedure  for  patent  protection:  Preparatory  work.  Record  keeping,  writing  a  patent  document,  filing  the  patent  document  -Types  of  patent  application-patent  application  under  the  Patent cooperation treaty (PCT).  
  • UNIT III
  • Plant   genetic   resources   -Importance   and   conservation   -   Sui   Generic  
  • System -Plant Varieties Protection and Farmers Rights Act- Registration of  
  • Extant varieties - Registration and protection of New Varieties / Hybrids /  Essentially Derived Varieties - Dispute prevention and settlement -Farmers'  Rights.  
  • UNIT IV
  • Trademark-  Geographical  Indications  of  Goods  and  Commodities  -  Copy  rights-Designs - Biodiversity  Protection.  
  • UNIT V
  • Procedures  for  commercialization  of  technology  -  Valuation,  Costs  and  
  • Pricing   of   Technology-   Licensing   and   implementation   of   Intellectual  Properties-  Procedures   for   commercialization   -   Exclusive   and   non  exclusive marketing rights-Research Exemption and benefit sharing .  

 

Suggested Readings 

  • Ganguli P. 2001. Intellectual Property Rights -Unleashing the Knowledge Economy. Tata McGraw Hill.  
  • Gupta  AK.  2003.  Rewarding  Conservation  of  Biological  and  Genetic 
  • Resources      and      Associated      Traditional      Knowledge      and Contemporary    Grass    Roots  Creativity.    Indian    Institute    of Management, Ahmedabad. 
  • Khan  SA  &  Mashelkar  R.  2004.  Intellectual  Property  and  Competitive 
  • Strategies   in   the   21    Century.   Kluwer   Law   International,   The  Hague.  

 

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RURAL MARKETING 

Objective  

  • To provide understanding regarding issues in rural markets like marketing  environment,    consumer    behaviour,    distribution    channels,    marketing  strategies, etc.  

 

Theory 

  • UNIT I
  • Concept  and  scope  of  rural  marketing,  nature  and  characteristics  of  rural  markets, potential of rural markets in India.  
  • UNIT II
  • Environmental factors - socio-cultural, economic and other environmental  factors affecting rural marketing.  
  • UNIT III
  • Rural  consumer's  behaviour  -  behavior  of  rural  consumers  and  farmers;  buyer characteristics and buying behaviour; Rural v/s urban markets.  
  • UNIT IV
  • Rural marketing strategy - Marketing of consumer durable and non-durable  goods  and  services  in  the  rural  markets  with  special  reference  to  product  planning; product mix, pricing Course Objective, pricing policy and pricing  strategy.  
  • UNIT V
  • Product promotion - Media planning, planning of distribution channels, and  organizing personal selling in rural market in India.  

 

Suggested Readings 

  • Krishnamacharyulu   CSG   &   Ramakrishan   L.   2002.   Rural   Marketing.  Pearson Edu.  
  • Ramaswamy VS & Nanakumari S. 2006.   Marketing Management. 3    Ed.           rd MacMillan.  
  • Singh AK & Pandey S. 2005. Rural Marketing. New Age.  
  • Singh Sukhpal. 2004. Rural Marketing. Vikas Publ. House.  

 

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COMMODITY FUTURES TRADING

Objective  

  • This   course   is   aimed   at   providing   the   basic   understanding   and   the  mechanics and value of futures markets for speculators and hedgers who in  turn will serve as price risk management activities of agribusiness firms.  

 

Theory 

  • UNIT I
  • History and Evolution of commodity markets - Terms and concepts: spot,  forward and futures Markets - factors influencing spot and future markets.  
  • Speculatory mechanism in commodity futures.  
  • UNIT II
  • Transaction and settlement - delivery mechanism - role of different agents -  trading strategies -  potential impact of interest rate, Foreign Exchange, FDI  in Commodity Markets.  
  • UNIT III
  • Risk  in  commodity  trading,  importance  and  need  for  risk  management  measures  -  managing  market  price  risk:  hedging,  speculation,  arbitrage,  swaps - pricing and their features.  
  • UNIT IV
  • Important  global  and  Indian  commodity  exchanges  -  contracts  traded  -  special features -Regulation of Indian commodity exchanges - FMC and its  role.  
  • UNIT V
  • Fundamental  Vs  Technical  analysis  -  construction  and  interpretation  of  charts and chart patterns for analyzing the market trend - Market indicators  -  back  testing.  Introduction  to  technical  analysis  software  -  analyzing  trading pattern of different commodity groups.  

 

Suggested Readings 

  • Kaufman PJ. 1986. The Concise Handbook of Futures Markets. John Wiley  & Sons.  
  • Leuthold RM, Junkus JC & Cordier JE. 1989. The Theory and Practice of Futures Markets. Lexington Books.  
  • Lofton  T.  1993.  Getting  Started  in  Futures.  3    Ed.   John  Wiley  &  Sons,  rd 1993.  
  • Purcell  WD.  1991.  Agricultural  Futures  and  Options:  Principles   and Strategies. Macmillan Publ.  
  • Wasendorf RR & McCafferty 1993. All about Commodities from the Inside Out. McGraw-Hill.  

 

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ADVANCED MICRO ECONOMIC ANALYSIS

Objectives 

  • The Course Objective of this course is to introduce the theoretical models  and   applications   of   microeconomic   theory.   In   particular,   the   basic  comparative statistical techniques and the more modern duality theory will  be  developed  and  applied  to  the  models  of  maximization,  unconstrained  and     constrained     utility     maximization,     expenditure     minimization,  constrained  profit  maximization,  and  cost  and  expenditure  minimization.  These    mathematical    structures   form   the   basic   building   blocks    of  neoclassical   economics;   this   course   will   stress   the   development   and  application of these important models. We follow a calculus rather than a  graphical approach to the theory. In the subsequent sections of the course,  we provide a fairly rigorous exposure to price determination under different  market situations, general equilibrium theory, causes and consequences of  market failure and welfare economics including the theory of public choice.  

 

Theory 

  • UNIT I
  • Theory of consumer behaviour - Duality in consumer theory - expenditure  function and indirect utility function - Measurement of Income Effect and  Substitution  Effect.  Measurement  of  Changes  in  Consumers'  Welfare  -  Consumer's  Surplus,  Compensating  Variation  and  Equivalent  Variation  -  Dynamic versions of demand functions - Integrability of demand functions.  Demand  Models  -  Linear  Expenditure  System,  Almost  Ideal  Demand  System. Applications  of  consumer  theory  -  Household  model  and  time  allocation - Labour supply decisions by households.  
  • UNIT II
  • Perfect competition - Monopoly, monopolistic competition and oligopoly.  Oligopoly  models  -  collusive  and  non-collusive  models  of  oligopoly  -  Cournot model, Chamberlin model, Stackleberg solution.  
  • UNIT III
  • General  equilibrium  theory  -  Conceptual  overview  -  General  equilibrium  conditions  with  Production  and  Consumption.  Existence,  Uniqueness  and  Stability of general competitive equilibrium. Walrasian general equilibrium  - Mathematical derivation of conditions for general equilibrium.  
  • UNIT IV
  • Market failure - Incomplete markets - Asymmetric information - Principal-  Agent   problem,   adverse   selection   and   moral   hazard.   Externalities   -  Network externalities - Public goods - Optimal provision of public goods. 
  • UNIT V
  • Welfare  Economics  -  Concepts,  problems,  approaches  and  limitations  of  Welfare Economics, Pareto conditions of  maximum welfare - Criteria for  social  welfare  -  Social  Welfare  functions,  Social  versus  Private  costs  and  benefits.  
  • Practical 
  • Problems  in  consumer  utility  maximization  -  Estimation  of  income  and  substitution  effects;  Estimation  and  comparison  of  Consumer's  surplus,  equivalent  variation  and  compensating  variation.  Estimation  of  demand  models  -  Derivation  and  estimation  of  labour  supply  equations  from  household  models  comparative  static  analysis  in  consumption.  Advanced  problem   solving   in   price   determination   under   perfect   competition,  monopoly, oligopoly  and  monopolistic  competition. Game  theory  models.  
  • Problems solving in General Equilibrium Theory and Welfare Economics.  Problems in public goods provision.  

 

Suggested Readings 

  • Chiang  AC.  1981.  Fundamental  Methods  of  Mathematical  Economics.  McGraw-Hill.  
  • Henderson  JM  &  Quandt  RE.  Microeconomic  Theory:  A  Mathematical Approach. McGraw-Hill.  
  • Koutsoyiannis A. 2003. Modern Microeconomics. The Macmillan Press.  
  • Kreps DM. 1990. A Course in Microeconomic Theory. Princeton Univ.  Press.  
  • Silberberg   E   &   Suen   W.   2001.   The   Structure   of   Economics   -   A Mathematical Analysis. McGraw-Hill.  
  • Varian HR. 1992. Microeconomic Analysis. WW Norton & Co.  
  • Varian   HR.   1999.   Intermediate   Microeconomics.   Affiliated   East-West  Press.  

 

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ADVANCED MACROECONOMICS ANALYSIS 

Objective  

  • Advanced  macroeconomics  course  will  be  offered  to  PhD  students  of  Agricultural Economics with the following Course Objective.  
  • to understand the macroeconomic theory  
  • to examine the macroeconomic Policy issues  
  • to analyze the macroeconomic Policy implications  

 

Theory 

  • UNIT I
  • Review  of  Macro  Economics  concepts-Comparative  statistics-  Keynesian  theory-   Consumption   Function   and   Theories   of   Consumption   -Saving  Function and Theories of Saving.  
  • UNIT II
  • Theories   of   Investment-Savings   and   Investment   Equality   -   IS   -   LM  Framework and its mand for and Supply of Money-Monetary Policy in the  static model - Inflation.  
  • UNIT III
  • Stagflation  and  Supply  side  Economics  -  Theory  of  Unemployment  -  Phillips Curve controversy - Inflation, Productivity and distribution - Fiscal  policy: Effectiveness and Problems.  
  • UNIT IV
  • Social  Accounting  Matrix  Framework  -  General  Equilibrium  Analysis  -  Neo classical Macro Economics - Stochastic Macro Economics.  UNIT V
  • BOP & Adjustment Policies - Foreign Exchange Policy - Foreign sector :  
  • Capital  and  Current  Account  -  Impact  of  WTO  on  Indian  Economy  -  Impact of IMF & IBRD on Indian Economy - Review of Macro Economic  Policies in India.  

 

Suggested Readings 

  • Diulio EA.  2006. Macroeconomics. 4   Ed. Schaums' Outlines. Frogen RT. 1999. Macro Economic: Theory and Policies. 6   Ed.  Prentice  Hall.  
  • Samuelson PA & Nordhaus WD. 2004. Economics. McGraw-Hill.  Shapiro E.  1989. Macro Economic Analysis. Galgotia Publ.  

 

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ADVANCED ECONOMETRICS

Objective  

  • The  Course  Objective  of  the  course  is  to  impart  knowledge  on  advanced  econometric  tools  to  the  Research  Scholars  of  agricultural  economics.  Training  in  advanced  econometrics  will  help  the  Research  Scholars  to  analyze the economic problem by applying quantitative techniques.  

 

Theory  

  • UNIT I
  • Review  of  classical  regression  model  -  review  of  hypothesis  testing  - restrictions on parameters - single equation techniques.
  • UNIT II
  • Ordinary least squares - weighted least squares - generalized least squares -method   of   principal   components   -   instrumental   variables   method   - maximum   likelihood   method   -   errors   in   variables,   non-linearity   and specification tests - non spherical error terms. 
  • UNIT III
  • Dummy variables - Qualitative and truncated dependent variables - limited dependent  variables  -LPM,  probit  and  logit  models,  their  multinomial extensions. 
  • UNIT IV
  • Autoregressive  distributed  lag  models  -  panel  data  fixed  and  random effects models and their extensions. UNIT V
  • Simultaneous  equation  methods  -identification  -  estimation  by  indirect least squares 2SLS, PIML, SURE, 3SLS. 

 

Practical  

  • Estimation of multiple regression model - GLS estimation methods - testing misspecification    errors    -    Testing    and    Managing    multicollinearity, heteroscedasticity  and  autocorrelation  -  estimation  of  LPM,  Logit  and Probit   models  -  comparing  two  regressions  -  Chow  test  -  estimation  of distributed  lag  models  -  panel  data  random  and  fixed  effects  models  - Indirect  least  squares  2SLS,  SURE,  3SLS,  estimation  of  simultaneous equation models 
  • Suggested Readings  
  • Greene WH. 2002. Econometric Analysis. Pearson Edu. 
  • Johnston J & Dinardo J. 2000. Econometric Methods. McGraw-Hill. 
  • Kelejan  HH  &  Oates  WE.  2001.  Introduction  to  Econometrics  Principles and Applications. Harper & Row. 
  • Maddala GS.  2002. Econometrics.  McGraw Hill. 

 

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ADVANCED PRODUCTION ECONOMICS

Objective  

  • To  expose  the  students  to  the  concept,  significance  and  uses  of  advance  production economics.  

 

Theory 

  • UNIT I
  • Agricultural Production process - Relationship between farm planning and  production   economics-scope   of   agricultural   production   and   planning-  methods/procedures in agro-economic research and planning.  
  • UNIT II
  • Production   functions,   components,   assumptions,   properties   and   their  economic  interpretation  -  Concepts  of  homogeneity,  homotheticity,  APP,  MPP, elasticities of substitution and their economic relevance - Production  relations -optimality-Commonly used functional forms, nature, properties,  limitations, estimation and interpretation -linear, Spillman -Cobb Douglas,  quadratic,   multiplicative   (power)   functional   forms   -   Translog,   and  transcendental   functional   forms   -CES,   production   functional   forms-  Conceptual and empirical issues in specification, estimation and application  of  production  functions-  Analytical  approaches  to  economic  optimum  -  Economic  optimum  -  determination  of  economic  optimum  with  constant  and  varying  input  and  output  prices-  Economic  optimum  with  production  function analysis - input use behaviour.  
  • UNIT III
  • Decision  making  with  multiple  inputs  and  outputs  -  MRT  and  product  relationship-cost of production and adjustment in output prices-single input  and multiple product decisions- Multi input, and multi product production  decisions - Decision making with no risk -Cost of wrong decisions - Cost  curves - Principles and importance of duality  theory  - Correspondence of  production, cost, and profit functions - Principles and derivation of demand  and supply functions .  
  • UNIT IV
  • Technology, input use and factor shares -effect of technology on input use-  decomposition    analysis-factor    shares-estimation    methods-    Economic  efficiency  in  agricultural  production  -  technical,  allocative  and  economic  efficiency    -    measurement    -Yield    gaps    analysis    -    concepts    and  measurement -  Risk  and  uncertainty  in  agriculture -  incorporation  of  risk  and  uncertainty  in  decision  making  -  risk  and  uncertainty  and  input  use  level-risk programming.  
  • UNIT V
  • Simulation   and   programming   techniques   in   agricultural   production-  Multiple   Course   Objective   Programming   -   Goal   programming   and  Compromise programming - applications.  

 

Practical 

  • Estimation  of  different  forms  of  production  functions-  Optimal  input  and  product choice from estimated functions-Derivation of demand and supply  functions  and  estimation-Estimation  of  cost  function  and  interpretations-  Optimal  product  and  input  choice  under  multi  input  and  output  system-  Estimation of factor shares from empirical functions estimated-Estimating  production  functions  incorporating  technology  changes:  Decomposition  analysis and incorporation of technology-Estimation of efficiency measures  - Stochastic, probabilistic and deterministic frontier production functions-  Risk programming - MOTAD-Quadratic programming-Simulation models  for   agricultural   production   decisions-Goal   programming   -   Weighted,  lexicographic and fuzzy goal programming-Compromise programming.  

 

Suggested Readings 

  • Chambers RG. 1988. Applied Production Analysis. Cambridge Univ. Press.  
  • Gardner  BL  &  Rausser  GC.  2001.  Handbook  of  Agricultural  Economics.  Vol. IA Agricultural Production. Elsevier.  
  • Palanisami   KP,   Paramasivam   &   Ranganathan   CR.   2002.   Agricultural Production   Economics:   Analytical   Methods   and   Applications.  Associated Publishing Co.  

 

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QUANTITATIVE DEVELOPMENT POLICY ANALYSIS

Objective  

  • The course trains the Scholars in the art of informed decision making and helps them to appreciate the value of the analytical basis in policy decisions. 
  • They are given hands on training  on the estimation and use of various criteria such as elasticities in making QDPA more meaningful 
  • The scholars make extensive reviews to get acquainted with the analytical relevance and in drawing inferences. 

 

Theory 

  • UNIT I
  • Policy framework - goals, value, beliefs and welfare maximization. Market 
  • Policy  and  State  -  State  vs.  Market  -  Failure  of  Policy  -  Failure  of Markets  -  Rationale  for  Government  Intervention.  Role  of  Quantitative Policy Analysis. 
  • UNIT II
  • Demand  analysis  for  policymaking  -  Alternative  approaches  to  demand analysis - Policy implications. Supply response - Alternative approaches to measurement of supply response - Nerlovian models of supply response - Policy implications. 
  • UNIT III
  • Household behaviour and policy analysis - Household models. 
  • UNIT IV
  • Partial   equilibrium   analysis   -   Concept   of   reference   prices   -   Price distortions  -  indicators  and  impact.  Transaction  costs  -  Implications  for efficiency   and   productivity   -   Institutional   solutions   -   Multi   market approach to policy analysis. 
  • UNIT V
  • Social   Accounting   Matrices   and   multipliers   --   Computable   General Equilibrium models to assess economy wide impact of policy changes. 

 

Practical 

  • Review of criteria for policy evaluation - Estimation of price elasticities - Review   of   estimation   of   complete   demand   systems   -   Estimation   of 
  • Nerlovian  supply  Response  model  -  Review  of  Household  models  - Specification  and  estimation  of  household  models  -  Partial  equilibrium analysis - Input-output table - Social Accounting Matrix - Construction of a SAM - computation of Multipliers - Multi Market Analysis - Review of Computable General Equilibrium Models. 

 

Suggested Readings 

  • Chenery  H  &  Srinivasan  TN.   (Eds.).  1988.  Hand  book  of  Development Economics. North-Holland. 
  • Eicher  KC  &  Staatz  JM.  1998.  International  Agricultural  Development. Johns Hopkins Univ. Press. 
  • Fischer G, Miller J & Sidney MS. (Eds.). 2007. Handbook of Public Policy Analysis: Theory, Politics and Methods. CRC Press. 
  • Frank  E.  1992.  Agricultural  Polices  in  Developing  Countries.  Cambridge Univ. Press. 
  • Ghatak  S  &  Ingersent  K.  1984.  Agriculture  and  Economic  Development. Select Book Service Syndicate. 
  • Kindleberger PC. 1977. Economic Development. McGraw Hill. 
  • Meier MG & Stigilitz JE. 2001. Frontiers of Development Economics- the Future Perspective. Oxford Univ. Press.  
  • Sadoulet   E   &   de   Janvry   A.   1995.   Quantitative   Development   Policy Analysis. (London: John Hopkins Univ. Press.  
  • Shoven Neck R, Christian R & Mooslechner P. (Eds.). 2008. Quantitative Economic Policy Essays in Honour of Andrew Hughes Hallett. 

 

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ADVANCED AGRICULTURAL MARKETING AND PRICE ANALYSIS  

Objective  

  • The  main  Course  Objective  of  this  course  is  to  critically  analyze  the  important    marketing    concepts,    models,    properties    of    agricultural  commodity  prices  and  forecasting,  data  collection  and  analysis  using  current software etc., in order to make them policy decisions in the field of  agricultural marketing.  

 

Theory 

  • UNIT I
  • Importance   of   market   analysis   in   the   agricultural   system   -   types   of  marketing-  advantages  and  disadvantages  -  quantitative  estimation  -  the  distinguishing   characteristics   and   role   of   agricultural   prices   -   data  sources  for  agricultural  products  and  prices  -  softwares  used  in  market  analysis.  
  • UNIT II
  • Role of various formal institutions in agricultural marketing - and functions  -  measuring  their  efficiency  -  public  -  private  partnership  -  institutional  arrangements. Successful case studies.  UNIT III
  • Multi  market  estimation,  supply  response  models.  Market  integration  and  price  transmission  -  supply  /  value  chain  management.  GAP  analysis.  Current trends in information in the changing agrifood system.  
  • UNIT IV
  • Agricultural commodity marketing - spot and futures- marketing of  derivatives-speculation,  hedging,  swap,  arbitrage  etc.  commodity  exchanges  -  price  discovery  and  risk  management  in  commodity  markets- Regulatory mechanism of futures trading.  
  • UNIT V
  • Lag  operators  and  difference  equations;  stationary  and  stochastic  processes;      UNIT      roots      and      cointegration;      conditional  heteroscedasticity:    ARCH    and    GARCH    models    -    forecast  evaluation;  methods  of  forecasting.  price  indices and econometric  estimation and simulation.  

 

Practical 

  • Estimation  of  demand/  supply  forecasting,  supply  chain  /  value  chain  analysis  for  different  commodities  -  Commodity  models-  multi  market  estimation-  time series  analysis  - market  integration  studies-  price  discovery  price  volatility  estimation  -  commodity  price forecasting using econometric softwares.  

 

Suggested Readings 

  • Ferris   JN.   1998.   Agricultural   Prices   and   Commodity   Market   Analysis.  McGraw-Hill.  
  • Goodwin JW. 1994. Agricultural Price Analysis and Forecasting. Wiley.  
  • Hallam D. 1990. Econometric Modeling of Agricultural Commodity Markets.  New Routledge.  
  • Martimort D. (Ed.). 1996. Agricultural Markets: Mechanisms, Failures, and Regulations. Elsevier.  
  • Schrimper RA. 2001. Economics of Agricultural Markets. Pearson.  
  • Timmer CP. 1986. Getting Prices Right. Cornell University Press.  
  • Tomek  WG  &  Robinson  KL.  2003.  Agricultural  Product  Prices.  4  th  Ed. Cornell University Press.  

 

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COMMODITY FUTURES TRADING

Objective  

  • This   course   is   aimed   at   providing   the   basic   understanding   and   the  mechanics and value of futures markets for speculators and hedgers which  in turn will serve as price risk management activities of agribusiness firms.  

 

Theory 

  • UNIT I
  • History and Evolution of commodity markets - Terms and concepts: spot,  forward and futures Markets - factors influencing spot and future markets.  Speculatory mechanism in commodity futures.  
  • UNIT II
  • Transaction and settlement - delivery mechanism - role of different agents -  trading strategies -  potential impact of interest rate, Foreign Exchange, FDI  in Commodity Markets. 
  • UNIT III
  • Risk  in  commodity  trading,  importance  and  need  for  risk  management  measures  -  managing  market  price  risk:  hedging,  speculation,  arbitrage,  swaps - pricing and their features.  
  • UNIT IV
  • Important  global  and  Indian  commodity  exchanges  -  contracts  traded  -  special features -Regulation of Indian commodity exchanges - FMC and its  role.  
  • UNIT V
  • Fundamental  Vs  Technical  analysis  -  construction  and  interpretation  of  charts and chart patterns for analyzing the market trend - Market indicators  -  backtesting.  Introduction  to  technical  analysis  software  -  analyzing  trading patterns of different commodity groups.  

 

Suggested Readings 

  • Kaufman PJ. 1986. The Concise Handbook of Futures Markets. John Wiley  & Sons.  
  • Leuthold RM, Junkus JC & Cordier JE. 1989. The Theory and Practice of Futures Markets. Lexington Books.  
  • Lofton T. 1993. Getting Started in Futures. 3   Ed. John Wiley & Sons.  rd 
  • Purcell  WD.  1991.  Agricultural  Futures  and  Options:  Principles   and Strategies. Macmillan Publ.  
  • Wasendorf  RR  &  McCafferty.  1993.  All  about  Commodities  from  the Inside Out. McGraw-Hill.  

 

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NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

Objectives  

  • This is an applied economics course that focuses on the economic analysis  of  natural  resources,  and  seeks  to  identify  and  solve  natural  resource  management    problems    via    mathematical    approach    using    dynamic  optimization   techniques.   During   the   course,   we   will   encounter   bio-  economic models of natural resources including the classic and more recent  forestry and fisheries models, models of land and water use and extraction  of non-renewable resources (such as from a mineral deposit). We will focus  on   intuition   and   understanding   of   the   economic   analysis   rather   than  complicated mathematical models in this class. That said, natural resource  problems  are  inherently  dynamic,  so  some  mathematical  modeling  of  biophysical and economic processes will be required. Using computers as  an aid to understanding the  models will be an important part of the class.  The primary tool will be Microsoft Excel, which is the easiest introduction  to computational optimization and graphical representation of the results.  

 

Theory 

  • UNIT I
  • Natural  resources  -  definition  -  characteristics  and  classification.  Stock  dynamics  of  renewable  and  non-renewable  resources.  Equation  of  motion  for   renewable  and   non-renewable  resources.   Fundamental   equation   of  renewable resources.  
  • UNIT II
  • Growth curves of fishery and forest resources. The role of time preference  in   natural   resource   use.   Simple   two-period   model   of   optimal   use   of  renewable  and  non-renewable  resources.  Advanced  models  of  optimal  resource  use  -  Static  Vs.  dynamic  efficiency  in  natural  resource  use  Applications of dynamic programming and optimal control.  
  • UNIT III
  • Economics   of   groundwater   use   -   optimal   extraction   of   groundwater.  Analytical and numerical solutions for optimal inter-temporal allocation of  natural   resources.   Optimal   harvesting   of   single   rotation   and   multiple  rotation forests. Optimal management of fishery.  
  • UNIT IV
  • Property  rights  in  natural resources  and  their implication  for conservation  and  management  of  natural  resources.  Management  of  common  property  natural   resources   -   Institutional   arrangements   for   conservation   and  management of common pool fishery, groundwater and forestry resource.  
  • UNIT V
  • Resource  scarcity  -  Natural  resource  degradation  -  Poverty  and  resource  degradation  -  Natural  resource  accounting  -  Pricing  and  valuation  of  natural resources - Natural resources policy.  

 

Practical 

  • Derivation of the fundamental equation of renewable resources-Estimation  of  growth  curves  and  stock  dynamics  for  fishery  and  forestry  resources.  Simple two  period problem of optimal  resource  use  - Numerical solution  for  simple  two-period  model  of  dynamic  efficiency  in  natural  resource  extraction.   Multi-period   dynamic   efficiency   -   Using   Excel   Solver   in  solving  dynamic  natural  resource  harvesting  problems.  Using  analytical  solution  procedures  for  solving  natural  resource  management  problems  -  Optimal control.  

 

Suggested Readings 

  • Baland   J-M   &   Platteau   JP.   1996.   Halting   Degradation   of   Natural 
  • Resources:  Is  There  a  Role  for  Rural  Communities?  Clarendon  Press and FAO.  
  • Carlson   GA,   Miranowski   J   &   Zilberman   D.   1998.   Agricultural   and Environmental Resource Economics. Oxford Univ. Press.  
  • Chiang AC. 1992. Elements of Dynamic Optimization. Waveland Press.  
  • Clark  CW.  1976.  Mathematical  Bioeconomics:  The  Optimal  Management of Renewable Resources. John Wiley and Sons.  
  • Conrad  JM  &  Clark  CW.  1997.  Natural  Resource  Economics:  Notes  and Problems. Cambridge Univ. Press.  
  • Conrad JM. 1999. Resource Economics. Cambridge University Press.  
  • Fisher  AC.  1981.  Resource  and  Environmental  Economics.  Cambridge  Univ. Press.  
  • Prato T. 1998. Natural Resource and Environmental Economics. Iowa State  Univ. Press.  
  • Sterner T. 2003. Policy Instruments for Environmental and Natural  
  • Resource Management. Resources for the Future, Washington DC.  

 

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ENVIRONMENTAL ECONOMICS 

Objective  

  • The main objective of this course is to provide an advanced treatment of the  economic  theory  of  environmental  management  and  policy,  externalities  and  market  and  non-market  approaches  to  environmental  improvement.  Topics  in  economic  growth  and  environmental  problems,  poverty  and  environmental degradation, conservation and sustainable economic growth,  intergenerational   and   global   environmental   problems,   policy   issues   in  environmental  regulation  and  management  will  be  covered  at  a  sufficient  depth so as to equip the students with the recent developments in the field.  

 

Theory 

  • UNIT I
  • Environmental pollution  as  a consequence  of  market failure -  Causes  and  consequences   of   market   failure   -   Externalities   -   Public   goods   and  externalities   -   Economics   of   pollution   -   Private   vs.   Social   cost   of  environmental pollution - Property rights, environment and development -  Theory of environmental policy.  
  • UNIT II
  • Environmental  cost  benefit  analysis  -  Environmental  impact  assessment  techniques  -  Non-market  valuation  of  environmental  resources  (WTP  /  WTA) - Environment, market and social welfare.  
  • UNIT III
  • Economic  growth  and  environmental  cost  -  Growth  oriented  economic  policies  and  their  environmental  impacts  -  Population  and  environmental  quality   -          poverty   and   environmental   degradation   -   Sustainable  development   -   Indicators   of   sustainable   development   -   Issues   in  sustainable development.  
  • UNIT IV
  • Environment,   ecology   and   environmental   accounting   -   Environmental  pollution with respect to water and air - Land and forest resources related  environmental   pollution   -   Coastal   externalities   -   Urbanization   and  environment  -  Basic  approaches  to  environmental  policy  (Tax,  subsidy,  pollution  permits  etc.)  Green  taxes  -  Political  economy  of  environmental  regulation and management.  
  • UNIT V
  • Transboundary  environmental  problems  -  Economics  of  global  warming,  climate change and emission trading - Environment, international trade and  development.  

 

Practical 

  • Contemporary     global     environmental     global     environmental     issues,  movement, policies, programmes, laws and other regulatory mechanisms -  Criteria  for  evaluating  the  environment  related  projects  and  review  of  Environmental Impact Assessment  (EIA)  techniques  -  Recreation demand  models  of  environmental  valuation  -  Contingent  valuation  techniques  -  Environmental   Resource   Accounting   Techniques   -   Discussion   on   the  techniques  dealing  with  air  pollution  and  review  of  case  studies  on  air  pollution and its impacts - forest environment and wild life conservation -  Green  GDP  and  Green  house  insurance  -  Practical  considerations  and  comparison  of  instruments  of  environmental  policy  -  Non-point  source  pollution    control    methodologies    -    Environment    in    macroeconomic  modeling    -    Meta-analysis,    economic    valuation    and    environmental  economics  -  Multi-criteria  methods  for  quantitative,  qualitative  and  fuzzy  evaluation   problems   related   to   environment   -   Input   output   analysis,  technology and the environment - Computable general equilibrium models  for environmental economics and policy analysis.  

 

Suggested Readings 

  • Carlson   GA,   Miranowski   J   &   Zilberman   D.   1998.   Agricultural   and Environmental Resource Economics. Oxford Univ. Press.  
  • Hanley  N,  Shogren  J  &  White  B.  2007.  Environmental  Economics  in Theory and Practice. Palgrave, London.  
  • Kolstad C. 1999. Environmental Economics. Oxford Univ. Press.  
  • Prato T. 1998. Natural Resource and Environmental Economics. Iowa State  Univ. Press.  
  • Sterner   T.   2003.   Policy   Instruments   for   Environmental   and   Natural 
  • Resource Management. Resources for the Future. The World Bank  and SIDA. 

 

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AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS 

List of Journals



  • Agricultural Economics Research Review 
  • Agricultural Finance Review 
  • Agricultural Marketing 
  • Agriculture and Agro-industries Journal 
  • Agriculture Statistics at a Glance 
  • APEDA Trade yearbook 
  • Asian Economic and Social Review (Old Series) 
  • Bulletin of Agricultural Prices 
  • Economic and Political Weekly 
  • Economic Survey of Asia and Far East 
  • FAO Commodity Review and Outlook 
  • FAO Production Year book 
  • FAO Trade year book 
  • Indian Cooperative Review 
  • Indian Economic Journal 
  • Indian Journal of Agricultural Economics 
  • Indian Journal of Agricultural Marketing 
  • Indian Journal of Economics 
  • International Food Policy Research Institute Research Report 
  • Journal of Agricultural Development and Policy 
  • Journal of Agricultural Economics 
  • Journal of Agricultural Economics and Development 
  • Journal of Farm Economics 
  • Land Economics 
  • Productivity 
  • Reserve Bank of India Bulletin 
  • Rural Economics and Management 
  • World Agricultural Economics and Rural Sociology Abstracts 
  • World Agricultural Production and Trade: Statistical Report 
  • Yojana 
  • Agricultural Situation in India 

 

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e- Resources

  • www.pearsoned.com (Pearson Education Publication) 
  • www.mcgraw-hill.com (McGraw-Hill Publishing Company) 
  • www.oup.com (Oxford University Press) 
  • www.emeraldinsight.com (Emerald Group Publishing) 
  • www.sagepub.com (Sage publications) 
  • www.isaeindia.org (Indian Society of Agricultural Economics) 
  • www.macmillanindia.com (Macmillan Publishing) 
  • www.icar.org.in (Indian Council of Agricultural Research) 
  • www.khoj.com (Directory for Agricultural Economics) 
  • www.ncap.res.in (National Centre for Agricultural Economics and Policy Research) 
  • www.ncdex.com (National Commodity & Derivatives Exchange Limited) 
  • www.phdcci.in (PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry) 
  • www.ficci.com (Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry) 
  • www.assocham.org (Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India) 
  • www.apeda.com (Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority) 
  • www.mpeda.com (Marine Products Export Development Authority) 

 

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Suggested Broad Topics for Master’s and Doctoral Research

  • Economics of Irrigation water in different agro-climatic conditions 
  • Potential of exports of agri-products 
  • Potential domestic as well as international markets for value added agriproducts 
  • Demand & supply gap of different agri-products and agri-inputs 
  • Economic analysis of new agri-technologies 
  • Input use efficiency in different agro-climatic conditions 
  • Income and expenditure pattern in rural areas 
  • Saving and investment pattern in rural areas 
  • Return from investment in agriculture research 
  • Marketing of agri-products in WTO regime 
  • Impact of WTO on agricultural economy 
  • Impact of Agricultural credit on socio-economic condition of the farmers 
  • Optimization of production process to reduce the cost of production 
  • Economic analysis of diversification, processing and value addition in agriculture sector 
  • Emerging international marketing scenario of agri-products 
  • Extent of farmers’ indebtedness in different agro-climatic conditions

 

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