Principles of Agricultural Economics

Principles of Agricultural Economics, now in its fourth edition, continues to showcase the power of economic principles to explain and predict issues and current events in the food, agricultural, and agribusiness sectors. This key text introduces economic principles in a succinct and reader-friendly format, providing students and instructors with a clear, up-to-date, and straightforward approach to learning how a market-based economy functions and how to use simple economic principles for improved decision-making.

The field of agricultural economics has expanded to include a wide range of topics and approaches, including macroeconomics, international trade, agribusiness, environmental economics, natural resources, and international development, and these are all introduced in this text. For this edition, new and enhanced material on agricultural policies, globalization, welfare analysis, and explanations of the role of government in agriculture and agribusiness is included. Readers will also benefit from an expanded range of case studies and text boxes, including real-world examples such as the Ukraine conflict, the Coronavirus pandemic, and immigration.

The work is supported by a companion website, including flash cards, study guides, PowerPoint presentations, multiple choice questions, essay questions, and an instructor’s manual. This book is ideal for courses on agricultural economics, microeconomics, rural development, and environmental policy.

Andrew Barkley is Professor and University Distinguished Teaching Scholar in the Department of Agricultural Economics at Kansas State University, USA.

Paul W. Barkley is Professor Emeritus, School of Economic Sciences, Washington State University and Adjunct Professor in the Applied Economics Department at Oregon State University, USA.