Agricultural and Resource Economics Discipline
Agriculture and natural resources make up the “primary” sector of the global economy, and a key source of the wealth generated by and for modern societies. In the Agricultural and Resources Economics discipline, attention is focused on agricultural economics and on resource economics, although there is a large area of overlap where resources such as land, water and native vegetation are concerned.
Activities in the agriculture sector include production, processing, wholesaling, retailing and trading of food and fibre products. Moreover, the provision of inputs for food and fibre production (such as land, water, chemicals, scientific research, and farm finance), and the resource management and environmental implications of highly intensive farming technologies cannot be overlooked. The agricultural economics program applies economic principles to the analysis of these activities, looking in particular at the efficient and equitable allocation of resources in this significant economic sector, and the role and effects of government policy and regulations.
The focus of the resource economics program is the use and management of our natural resource base, as well as the country’s environmental assets and amenities. Resource management in agricultural production is a key focus of attention here, with water being a vital resource in the Australian context, and continuing pressure on the agricultural land base from salt, acidification and erosion.
As well, resource economics encompasses environmental assets and features, from national parks, marine resources (including marine parks and aquaculture), to air and water quality and biodiversity.
All of our undergraduate degrees aim to give students an appreciation of both scientific and socio-economic frameworks of the agricultural and natural resources sectors, while affording students opportunities for specialisation in specific areas.
The Agricultural and Resource Economics Discipline provides teaching and research relating to production, processing and marketing of agricultural products; international trade; agricultural policy; management and conservation of natural resources. There are two undergraduate, economics-based degrees:
Teaching is based on the Camperdown Campus which is situated on the edge of the city's central business district. Research and teaching is also conducted in regional and rural research stations, and on farms owned by the University.
For further information contact
Head, Agricultural and Resource Economics Discipline Group
Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources,
University of Sydney, NSW 2006
Phone: +61 2 9351 2574/2936/6926