207-172 Rural Economics

This subject is an overview of the ways that prices for agricultural commodities are determined; and Australia's competitive position in the markets for our major exported agricultural commodities.

Topics include importance of agriculture to the Australian economy; an economics perspective of the advantages and disadvantages of the major marketing alternatives for agricultural commodities; market support mechanisms; factors determining rural policy development; impact of government policies and the constraints within the Australian Constitution on marketing agricultural commodities; product marketing fundamentals, including marketing mix, segmentation and target markets, promotion, distribution and pricing strategies; and developing and implementing marketing plans.

One 3-hour written examination worth 50% of final marks, two assignments equivalent to 2500 words and worth 25% of final marks each.

• K O Campbell and B S Fisher, Agricultural Marketing and Prices. Longman Cheshire, 1991.
• J R McColl-Kennedy, G Kiel, C H Lusch, V N Lusch, Marketing Concepts and Strategies. 2nd edn, Thomas Nelson, 1999.