Projects / Programmes
Agro-food and natural resources economics
January 1, 2018
- December 31, 2023
Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
4.03.00 |
Biotechnical sciences |
Plant production |
|
5.02.00 |
Social sciences |
Economics |
|
Code |
Science |
Field |
S187 |
Social sciences |
Agricultural economics |
Code |
Science |
Field |
4.01 |
Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences |
Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries |
5.02 |
Social Sciences |
Economics and Business |
Agricultural economics, Economics of natural resources, Agro-food economics, Rural development, Management and bussiness in agro-food sector, Food consumer science, Multi-disciplinarity
Researchers (15)
no. |
Code |
Name and surname |
Research area |
Role |
Period |
No. of publicationsNo. of publications |
1. |
57457 |
Živa Alif |
Plant production |
Researcher |
2023 |
62 |
2. |
10890 |
PhD Emil Erjavec |
Plant production |
Head |
2018 - 2023 |
1,181 |
3. |
16329 |
PhD Luka Juvančič |
Plant production |
Researcher |
2018 - 2021 |
422 |
4. |
13487 |
PhD Stanko Kavčič |
Plant production |
Researcher |
2023 |
405 |
5. |
30768 |
PhD Tina Kocjančič |
Animal production |
Researcher |
2018 - 2021 |
34 |
6. |
24297 |
PhD Maja Kožar |
Plant production |
Researcher |
2018 - 2023 |
193 |
7. |
19316 |
PhD Aleš Kuhar |
Plant production |
Researcher |
2022 - 2023 |
670 |
8. |
55853 |
Ana Novak |
Plant production |
Junior researcher |
2021 |
30 |
9. |
11171 |
PhD Martin Pavlovič |
Plant production |
Researcher |
2018 - 2023 |
423 |
10. |
22514 |
PhD Karmen Pažek |
Interdisciplinary research |
Researcher |
2018 - 2023 |
603 |
11. |
38944 |
Ilona Rac |
Plant production |
Technical associate |
2018 - 2023 |
95 |
12. |
19348 |
PhD Črtomir Rozman |
Interdisciplinary research |
Researcher |
2018 - 2023 |
630 |
13. |
50530 |
PhD Tanja Šumrada |
Plant production |
Researcher |
2020 - 2023 |
161 |
14. |
10584 |
PhD Andrej Udovč |
Plant production |
Researcher |
2018 - 2023 |
560 |
15. |
29649 |
PhD Jaka Žgajnar |
Animal production |
Researcher |
2018 - 2023 |
233 |
Organisations (4)
Abstract
The programme group, which consists of agricultural economists of four research institutes, researches societal issues of sustainable food production, processing and consumption and management of natural and rural resources by using cutting-edge scientific theoretical frameworks, methods and empirical tools. It strives for a multi-disciplinary approach that integrates knowledge from various scientific disciplines in the fields of agriculture, ecology and economics/social sciences. It strengthens and develops theoretical frameworks and methodological tools of agricultural economics and economics of natural resources and works to form a analytical support system for decision-making regarding key developmental issues of agriculture and related fields. In the new period, the group is operating primarily in areas that define the research content presented below.
A. The development of data systems to support decision making
Building a single, comprehensive data system to support decision-making in agricultural policy and to support decision-making at farm level.
B. Operations research at farm level
Developing methodological instruments (using modern methods of operations research and information technology) to support decision-making on agricultural holdings and at the level of production sectors. The key methods are simulation, multi-criteria, dynamic and stochastic models, models based on machine learning, and CBA analysis with optional models.
C. Economics of natural resources and the environment
Comprehensive evaluation of various agricultural and forestry systems with the aim of creating new knowledge on the interactions between the biophysical, social and economic aspects of land use, sustainable management of natural resources and the preservation of social welfare. The key methods are the socio-ecological systems framework (SES), biophysical methods with emergy analysis, LCA models and discourse analysis.
D. The economic effects and policy analyses of public policies
Policy analysis of decision-making processes, reforms and their results, and the assessment of sustainability effects of agricultural policy at European and national level. By understanding causal links and effects, we aim to support the decision-making of governmental and non-governmental bodies in agriculture (at national, regional and multi-national level). The key methods are politological analysis, sectoral modelling, evaluation theory, participatory approach and discourse analysis.
E. Social innovation and knowledge transfer in the management of natural resources
Developing approaches, methodologies and socio-economic analyses in support of innovation policy and knowledge transfer in the field of agri-food and natural resource management. The key methods are the SES theoretical framework, the AKIS theoretical framework, participatory and action research.
Significance for science
Using a multi-disciplinary approach that combines economic and biotechnical knowledge, the programme group researches processes and effects and looks for economically and environmentally sustainable solutions for the management of agriculture and natural resources at the micro and macro level. It works in the field of agricultural economics as a scientific discipline and explores knowledge gaps in the field of methodological tools and solving developmental issues, such as the challenges of changed political and economic conditions, socio-economic impacts of new technologies, growing needs for food and altered dietary habits, environmental and climate challenges and growing disparities between urban and rural areas. In this way, it is following trends in the national and international environment and establishing a new role for science related to the management of natural resources, landscape and the agri-food chain.
Let us mention some examples of the fields we will be developing in the research programme:
Upgrading and developing new methodological tools: original methodological solutions and combining mathematical modelling methods in field of management of agricultural holdings; a model for the systematization and quantification of budgetary transfers in agriculture; a conceptual upgrade of the socio-ecological system with elements of public policies; partial equilibrium models for studying changes in the economic conditions in the Western Balkans countries.
New findings and filling substantive gaps: boundaries of scientific disciplines in studying agricultural policy; valorisation of social and environmental benefits related to agriculture and forestry (public goods/ecosystem services); biophysical (emergy) evaluation of agricultural production systems; social innovation in rural resource-management (examination of the role of the social and human dimension in technological and market-driven innovation and the emergence and development of social innovation in entrepreneurship); possibilities for the evaluation of animal genetic resources with the tender approach; discourse analysis and SES analysis of the evaluation of the environment in agricultural policy
Transfer of methods and their application on developmental issues in the national context: machine learning applied to cases of management in agriculture; multi-criteria decision modelling for the assessment of various developmental issues; models for risk management in selected agricultural activities by using the Monte Carlo method; optional modelling for the evaluation of the economic and financial viability of investment projects; assessment of preferences for selected ecosystem services; business/financial and market analyses of new technologies and production systems in natural resource management.
Significance for the country
By developing appropriate methodological tools, conducting surveys and presenting the results to the public, the programme group supports decision-making in governmental and non-governmental organizations and in the economic sector. The group, which consists of researchers from four institutions, forms the national research core in the field of agricultural economics and addresses important national and European societal issues of sustainable development in the field of agriculture, food, rural development and environmental protection. It seeks to find a more efficient concept of agricultural policy and studies its effects on Slovenia with an emphasis on the aspect of European integration, management at farm level, environmental benefits and costs related to agriculture and forestry, as well as innovation and knowledge transfer.
The group is the leading national group for the monitoring and study of agricultural policy (particularly the EU Common Agricultural Policy), wishing also to contribute more at the EU-28 level in the future. Some of the key government decisions in the field of agriculture in the last 25 years have also been the result of the work and research of the team members (agricultural policy reform in the 1990’s, the concept of adaptation and negotiations for the accession of Slovenia in the field of agriculture, the choice of direct payment schemes after 2005, negotiations on the EU budget for Slovenia).
The group is guided by the search for a more efficient and targeted policy concept, which is also related to the issue of public finance related to agriculture, at the EU and national level. A further object of analysis is sectoral legislation, such as the taxation of agriculture, land law etc.. The group also places a special emphasis on forming supporting data systems in agriculture. With them, it strives to increase the analytical value, quality and usefulness of individual databases for key users and to increase the cost- and time-efficiency of public administration. The group members have the possibility to regularly present their work and findings to state bodies (various line ministries of the Government of Slovenia, in particular the Ministries of Agriculture and Environment; National Assembly) and NGOs (e.g. the Chamber of Agriculture and Forestry, Cooperative Association of Slovenia).
The broader field of agricultural economics, the group’s field of scientific activity, is the subject of numerous international studies, and also remains a priority of the EU research policy (Horizon 2020). Thus, the group also sees its mission in its cooperation in international projects and networks that ensure Slovenia’s inclusion into the international sphere, while enabling the transfer of cutting-edge knowledge into the Slovenian scientific sphere. In some areas (sectoral modelling, agricultural policy analysis, rural development and ecosystem services), the group is referential for this part of Europe, which is reflected in regular invitations to participate in EU projects, as well as successful acquisitions and executions of projects.
Representatives of the group also confirm their socioeconomic role by preparing studies and analyses for international organisations, such as the OECD, FAO and the European institutions (European Commission and European Parliament). The group will continue to support the European integration process of Western Balkans countries with its research efforts. Group members also participate in the work of various international research and expert groups, where they actively contribute to the work and represent Slovenia (EAAE, hop associations).
Members of the programme group directly and indirectly influence the development of the economy with part of their research activities. They have a direct role in developing new technologies, where they contribute with economic analyses of the viability and efficiency of production systems (e.g. aquaponics) or with analyses of compet
Most important scientific results
Interim report
Most important socioeconomically and culturally relevant results
Interim report