Module Identifier RS31720  
Module Title BUSINESS AND MANAGEMENT IN ORGANIC AGRICULTURE  
Academic Year 2003/2004  
Co-ordinator Ms Susanne Padel  
Semester Semester 1  
Course delivery Lecture   40 Hours 20 x 2-hour lectures  
  Other   48 Hours Two-day conference  
  Practical   3 x 2 hours, plus 3-day study tour  
Assessment
Assessment TypeAssessment Length/DetailsProportion
Semester Exam3 Hours Outcomes assessed: (a) - (g)  60%
Semester Assessment 3000 word coursework assignment Outcomes assessed: (a) - (g)  40%
Supplementary Exam3 Hours Exam and resubmission of coursework if also failed  100%

Learning outcomes

On completion of this module, students should be able to:

a. Outline the main objectives and principles of organic agriculture, in a systems context and describe the development of organic food production and marketing in Europe, evaluating how this development impacts on the objectives identified.
b. Identify the regulations relating to production, processing and trade in organic products within the European Union and major trading partners and evaluate the implementation of these regulations in individual countries and their impact on the development and objectives of organic agriculture.
c. Evaluate the factors influencing consumer demand for organically-produced food.
d. Describe the marketing structures (supply chains) for organically produced food in specific regions and evaluate these in the context of supply chain/business performance, trade ethics and resource requirements for production, processing, packaging and distribution.
e. Describe the policy-environment for organic agriculture in Europe, including the relevant production, marketing and agri-environmental support schemes, and assess their influence on the current and potential future adoption of organic agriculture.
f. Identify the factors influencing the financial and physical productivity of organic crop and livestock enterprises and assess their combined impact on the performance of whole farm systems, both during conversion and once fully established.
g. Identify and evaluate specific constraints and opportunities for the conversion, development and optimisation of organic farm businesses in the context of farmers? objectives, farming styles and information needs as well as the business environment and resources and environment.
By the end of this module, students should be able to:

Explain how a differentiated market for organically produced food relates to the wider objectives of ecological agriculture.

Identify the regulations relating to trade in organic products within the European Union and major trading partners and describe the implementation of these regulations in various countries.

Understand the factors influencing consumer demand for organically produced food.

Outline the marketing structures for organically produced food in specific regions, and evaluate these in the context of trade ethics and resource requirements for production, processing, packaging and distribution.

Identify the factors influencing the financial and physical productivity of organic crop and livestock enterprises, and determine their combined impact on the performance of whole farm systems.

List the relevant production, marketing and agri-environmental support schemes and determine their influence on the financial performance of whole farm systems.

Distinguish the financial performance of established organic farms from those in conversion and determine costs of conversion for different farm types.

Assess the role of alternative business structures in meeting the wider objectives of organic agriculture.

Understand the relevance of systems, management and decision-making theory to optimising the performance of farming systems in line with farmer/farm household/societal objectives

Apply rapid appraisal, budgeting, simulation and optimisation techniques to analyse and improve farm system performance.

Understand the role of different types of knowledge and information and of different extension agents in the diffusion of information

Identify the policy, regulatory, market, information and other factors influencing the adoption of organic agriculture and assess prospects for widespread adoption of organic farming.


Aims

The module aims to enable students to understand and evaluate the business organisation and performance of organic farming systems, in the context of the market, regulatory and policy environment for organic agriculture as well as broader sustainability and ethical considerations, with a focus on the constraints and opportunities faced by farmers/managers in converting, developing and optimising their businesses.

Transferable skills

.1 Independent project work
This is addressed through the coursework assessment

.2 IT and information handling
Word processing and internet usage as part of coursework assessment

.3 Use and analysis of numerical information
Some business planning aspects are covered

.4 Writing in an academic context
Coursework, examination and conference presentation

.5 Oral discussion and presentation
Conference presentation

.6 Careers need awareness
Opportunities for employment are identified through the study tour and contact with industry representatives during the module.

.7 Self-management
Submission deadlines for coursework assignment and conference presentation

.8 Group activity
Study tour and conference provide for significant opportunities for group interaction and discussion

Reading Lists

Books
Lampkin N H and Padel S (eds.) (1994) The Economics of Organic Farming- an International Perspective CAB International, Wallingford
Lampkin N H and Measures M (eds) (2001) Organic Farm Management Handbook University of Wales, Aberystwyth.

Web Page/Sites
(2001) Organic food and farming: towards partnership and action in Europe. Conference proceedings, May 2001 www.fvm.dk/konferencer/organic_food_farming/index.htm

Technical Reports
Soffe, R J (ed) (2002) Agricultural Notebook: see N H Lampkin 'Organic Farming' 20. Blackwell Science

Books
Organic Farming in Europe: Economics and Policy Series (Vols 1-10) Universitat Hohenheim, Stuttgart
IFOAM Trade conference proceedings 1995, 1997, 2000

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 6