Department Agricultural Policy

External Environment for Agriculture and Policy Analysis

This department researches institutions involved in agricultural development in transition economies from a micro-economic perspective. The work of the Department Agricultural Policy thus contributes to understanding the interconnections between institutions, agricultural policies and transition processes in rural areas of formerly planned economies in Europe and Asia.

Investigations appraise various agricultural policy measures' impacts on producers, consumers and public budgets. Studies also cover various effects of institutional reforms on agricultural production, economic development of rural areas and the use of natural resources. Further themes of interest include organizing agricultural production and food marketing. The theoretical foundation of the department’s work is an elementary component of its applied research and ranges from neoclassical theories via games theory to institutional economics approaches. The department’s scientists publish their research findings in leading international journals and derive scientifically-based policy recommendations.