News & events

In an article in the Irish Examiner of Tuesday, 24^th February 2015, Joe Dermody writes about the Agricultural Economics and Policy course offered as part of the M.Econ.Sc. Natural Resource Economics and Policy programme at NUI Galway; and the participation of both NUI Galway and Teagasc economists in its delivery to provide an opportunity for the students to see how agricultural economists use the economic tools to answer real world agricultural policy questions.  

He writes:

Agri-economic studies can help underpin the sustainability of Irish food production, say the creators of a new course at NUI Galway.

The Agricultural Economics and Policy course, offered as part of the Natural Resource Economics and Policy Masters, is designed to develop the analytical modelling skills of economics graduates for employment in private and public sector enterprises concerned with the environment, agriculture, food, fisheries, and other marine resources.

The course will be delivered jointly by NUI Galway and Teagasc economists. Lecturers will include Teagasc economists Thia Hennessy, Trevor Donnellan, and Kevin Hanrahan of the Athenry-based Rural Economy and Development Programme.

Course director Stephen Hynes of NUI Galway said: “Given that agriculture and food is a key element in the Irish economy and natural resource management is vital for the continued development of the sector it is important that we have students coming through with the tools to analyse the impact of policy and impact of possible environmental changes on the sector.

“The participation of the Teagasc economists in the delivery of the course is a great opportunity for the students to see how agricultural economists use the economic tools, learnt during the course, to answer real world agricultural policy questions.”

The new course analyses how public policy relates to Irish agriculture, climate change policy, CAP reform, and global economic impacts.

The Masters course begins again in September with application due by end of June.

For more information the M.Econ.Sc. Natural Resource Economics & Policy Programme see here

• See media coverage of this article (Irish Examiner)