Agricultural Engineering – Agricultural Economics
“Agricultural Economics” refers to a collection of sciences and methods that study the factors influencing agriculture, the economic relationships among agricultural production factors, and the application of economic principles to the production and development of agriculture. In other words, the field of Agricultural Economics Engineering is defined for the detailed study and analysis of economic relations between agricultural inputs and outputs, the application of various analytical and evaluation methods, and other economic principles in the agricultural sector. The aim of agricultural economics is to apply economic science and theory to the fields of production, distribution, marketing, consumption, and agricultural services required by economic sectors.
The Department of Agricultural Economics Engineering is one of the academic departments of the Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources at Ardakan University, which began its mission in 2012 by admitting students to the master’s program in Agricultural Economics—offered for the first time in Region 6 and in Yazd Province. In 2013, the department started accepting undergraduate students in this field. The active master’s specializations in this department include: Natural Resources and Environmental Economics, Agricultural Product Marketing, Agricultural Policy and Development, and Production Economics and Management of Agricultural Units.
Objectives of the Department of Agricultural Economics Engineering:

• Studying and analyzing key issues in agriculture and natural resources, including food production economics, production inputs and management, agricultural policy analysis, marketing and trade of agricultural and natural resource products, environmental economics, and sustainable development.

• Training specialized agricultural economists at the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels to manage production units in agricultural organizations and the agricultural economy sector.

• Supervising and implementing research and development projects and collaborating with research and executive organizations related to agricultural economics.

• Organizing educational and consultancy courses to increase the knowledge and skills of agricultural specialists in the field of agricultural economics.

• Providing consultation on policy-making, planning, and investment for the preparation and implementation of agricultural development projects at regional, provincial, national, and international levels.

Graduate Competencies and Career Opportunities:
Undergraduate students in this field gain knowledge in agriculture through specialized courses (including General Agronomy, General Horticulture, General Irrigation, General Soil Science, Agricultural Products Processing and Preservation Methods, etc.), the principles of economics (Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, Mathematical Economics, Principles of Agricultural Production Economics, Labor Economics, Natural Resource Economics, etc.), and analytical tools (Econometrics, Mathematical Programming, Preparation and Evaluation of Agricultural Projects, Farm Accounting, Engineering Economics, etc.). They acquire the necessary skills to participate in economic activities related to agriculture and natural resources and to apply macroeconomic principles to the agricultural sector, enabling them to optimize the use of available resources for maximum profit.
Graduates with a master’s degree can participate in economic activities related to comprehensive agricultural and rural development programs in educational, research, and executive roles as instructors, researchers, planners, analysts, and managers. Some career opportunities for graduates of Agricultural Economics Engineering include:

• Ministry of Agriculture Jihad and its affiliated organizations and departments

• Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization and its affiliated companies

• Agricultural and Natural Resources Engineering Organization

• Association of Official Experts in Agriculture and Natural Resources

• Banks, especially Agricultural Bank

• Agricultural Products Insurance Fund and its affiliated companies

• Agricultural and Water Supply Consulting Engineering Companies

• Agricultural production agro-industries

• Universities and higher education centers

• Rural Cooperative Organization

• Rural production cooperatives

• Economic designer and evaluator for agricultural and natural resources projects

• Working in commodity exchanges, including agricultural products and services

• Organization for the Support of Producers and Consumers

• Institute for Planning, Agricultural Economics, and Rural Development Research

• Ministry of Energy and its subsidiaries

• Ministry of Interior, especially provincial offices

• National Planning and Budget Organization

• Ministry of Economic Affairs and its subsidiaries (National Tax Administration, Islamic Republic of Iran Customs, etc.)

• Working as a marketing expert or manager in public and private companies involved in the supply of inputs and products in the agricultural and food industries sector

• Department of Environment