ABSTRACT

This textbook takes a truly international approach towards agricultural economics, uniting many different perspectives on the subject and providing insight into agriculture in general, and into how practical farming works in particular. The book is laced throughout with real world examples and other pedagogical features.

Topics covered are wide-ranging and include:

  • world food production and population
  • the food chain and food safety
  • non-foods derived from farming
  • land and soil issues
  • arable and animal production and management at farm level.

The World of Agricultural Economics: an introduction is primarily an introductory textbook for students in agricultural economics, agronomy and adjacent fields. However, its accessible approach means that it is also suitable for readers without any previous knowledge in the field, who are seeking an introduction to agriculture.

chapter |4 pages

Introduction

part I|35 pages

Ways into agriculture

chapter 1|6 pages

Agricultural economics, a common ground

chapter 2|7 pages

Fundamentals of agriculture

chapter 4|9 pages

The food chain

part II|73 pages

World agriculture

chapter 5|16 pages

World population and food

chapter 6|16 pages

Areas and crops

chapter 7|21 pages

World animal production

chapter 8|18 pages

Agricultural production of non-foods

part III|65 pages

In need of land and soil

chapter 9|18 pages

Access to farmland

chapter 10|17 pages

Farms and fields

chapter 11|10 pages

Soils, the world beneath the surface

chapter 12|18 pages

Water and plant nutrients

part IV|61 pages

The many faces of farming

chapter 13|14 pages

The growing season

chapter 14|16 pages

Weeds, seeds and other crop issues

chapter 15|12 pages

Animal production, resources and strategies

chapter 16|17 pages

Animal feeding, health and breeding

part V|83 pages

Managing the farm and the market

chapter 17|14 pages

Managing the farm

chapter 18|18 pages

Working with agriculture

chapter 19|16 pages

Beyond the farm gate

chapter 20|20 pages

International agricultural trade

chapter 21|13 pages

Making food as safe as possible