Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Development
Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Development
The Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Development was established in 2011 at the Faculty of Agriculture, Lorestan University. Initially, the department commenced its activities by admitting students in two fields: "Rural Development" and "Agricultural Economics, Agricultural Policy and Development" at the Master's level. In 2022, the field of "Agricultural Extension and Education, Human and Agricultural Ecosystems" was also launched at the Master's level, and currently, the department admits students in these three fields. The introduction of the aforementioned three fields is presented below.
Introduction to the Rural Development Field
The Rural Development field at the Master's level is an interdisciplinary field in the areas of social sciences, economics, and rural planning, which has been established with the aim of training specialists and researchers to analyze, design, and manage development programs in rural areas. Students in this program become familiar with theories, models, and modern methods of rural development and planning, and learn how to utilize agricultural advantages, develop agricultural jobs, diversify rural economic activities, local capacities, empower local communities, and improve the economic, social, and environmental conditions of villages.
This course focuses on land use planning in rural areas, sustainable rural development, entrepreneurship, poverty reduction, promoting public participation, empowering poor rural women, protecting natural resources, and regional planning, and prepares students to play a role in governmental institutions, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), research centers, and international projects.
Course Objectives
- Enhancing specialized knowledge in the field of sustainable development and rural planning
- Training experts for management and policy-making in rural sectors
- Teaching research methods and analyzing rural issues
- Developing entrepreneurial skills and managing local projects
Job Market and Career Opportunities
- Ministries and organizations related to rural development and agriculture
- Planning and Budget Organization, municipalities, village Islamic councils
- Domestic and international non-governmental organizations
- Research centers, universities, and research projects
- Management of entrepreneurial and development projects in rural areas
Introduction to Agricultural Economics, Agricultural Policy and Development
The Agricultural Economics, Agricultural Policy and Development field at the Master's level focuses on the scientific study of economic dimensions, policy-making, and development in the agricultural sector. The aim of this field is to train specialists who can design, evaluate, and manage agricultural development policies and programs by relying on economic analysis methods. Students in this field become familiar with the economic structure of the agricultural sector, market analysis, resource management, government support policies, and sustainable agricultural development strategies.
Course Objectives
- Teaching quantitative and qualitative methods in analyzing economic issues in the agricultural sector
- Training experts to formulate and evaluate agricultural development and support policies
- Increasing scientific capacity in analyzing the impact of macroeconomic policies on the agricultural sector
- Empowering students to conduct applied research in the field of agricultural development
Job Market and Career Opportunities
- Ministry of Jihad-e-Agriculture and related organizations
- Planning and Budget Organization and economic policy-making centers
- Banks and financial institutions related to the agricultural sector
- International agricultural development organizations and NGOs
- Research centers, universities, and agricultural economic consulting
- Agricultural policy and rural development analyst or researcher
Introduction to Agricultural Extension and Education, Human and Agricultural Ecosystems
The Agricultural Extension and Education, Human and Agricultural Ecosystems field at the Master's level examines the complex interactions between humans, society, and agricultural systems. This field, with an interdisciplinary approach, prepares students to analyze and manage the social, economic, cultural, and environmental relations governing agriculture and rural communities. The main goal of this field is to train experts who can, by using the knowledge of extension, education, and research, strengthen the active participation of agricultural beneficiaries in sustainable development and the protection of natural resources.
Course Objectives
- Teaching modern concepts and methods of agricultural extension and education with a focus on humans and ecosystems
- Training experts to empower agricultural beneficiaries and local communities
- Increasing knowledge in the field of analyzing social, cultural, and economic issues in the agricultural sector
- Developing research and applied skills to promote agricultural and environmental sustainability
Job Market and Career Opportunities
- Ministry of Jihad-e-Agriculture, extension organizations, and agricultural services
- Agricultural research, education, and extension centers
- Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in the field of sustainable development and natural resources
- National and international rural and agricultural development projects
- Teaching and research in universities and scientific centers
- Consulting in the field of education and empowerment of agricultural beneficiaries
