793-228 Agricultural Economics and Marketing

The objective of this subject is to enable student to:

• understand and analyse issues relating to agricultural economics and policy;

• develop an understanding of the fundamental principles of marketing;

• develop effective marketing systems for new products; and

• describe the marketing systems currently employed for major agricultural products.

The content includes:

• the role of agriculture in the Australian economy;

• economic forces affecting farmers including effects of domestic government policy, effects of government policy in overseas countries, causes of income variability and farmer responses, causes of the cost prices squeeze and farmer responses;

• the operation of farmer organisations in establishing and influencing policy;

• marketing fundamentals/concepts;

• key marketing strategies (segmentation and marketing mix);

• planned marketing programs for agricultural products;

• role of information (producers and consumers);

• direct supply marketing; marketing agricultural products overseas;

• grower marketing (issues and options);

• alternative marketing systems such as video and catalogue sales; and

• government involvement in the marketing process.

Two 2000 word assignments and a 2-hour test.

• Campbell and Fisher, Agricultural Marketing and Prices. Longman Cheshire.
• Mc Coll-Kennedy et al, Marketing Concepts & Strategies. Nelson.