The study of agro-economics and the transition: “what we expected, what happened and the lessons learned” Joint IAAE-EAAE seminar

Csáki, Csaba

Keywords: agro-economic profession, priorities in agro-economic studies, CEE and Russian Federation countries, inheritances, development peculiarities, tasks

It can be stated above all that the seminar demonstrated the strength of the agro-economic profession in Europe and particularly in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE). The presentations and debates lead to very useful conclusions and lessons learned, both for political economists and the teaching and researching communities.
Among priorities in agro-economic studies the following were voiced: adaptation to the main trends in developed countries’ agro-economic studies; the importance of empirical analyses, analytical procedures, political economy analyses and forecasts; the significance of rural development; improving the quality of agro-economic tuition; modernising training for doctorates and embracing training abroad; raising the standard of agro-economic research; information exchange and the strengthening of traditional, personal relations.
Furthermore, it was determined that in comparison to countries with more developed market economies, there is a much greater share from employment and national revenues in CEE and Russian Federation countries. Agricultural resources are significant, but efficiency is low and due to the transition outputs have fallen.
Substantial differences can be seen between CEE and Russian Federation countries in the path and manner of transformation or transition. The World Bank analysis differentiates four groups: successful, advanced, moderate and slow reformers. The reconstruction of private ownership and market conditions, liberalisation and deregulation are all taking - or have taken - place differently in these groups.
It can be determined that the numerous forecasts were only approximately correct and that the processes of transforming institutions, sorting out land ownership, developing individual farms and solving issues of financing, are all extremely complex. The positive impact of EU accession is obvious in all affected countries.
Making the most of comparative advantages, strengthening efficiency and competitiveness, modernising and putting forth various forms of integration, are all important tasks.

Full article