Evolution of Agricultural Economics: A Review Article for Economists

Abstract

Agricultural Economics arose as academic field of study in the late 19th century, combined the theory of the firm with marketing and organization theory, and developed throughout the 20th century largely as an empirical branch of General Economics in United States and Europe. In Ethiopia, for first time undergraduate program in Agricultural Economics was offered at Haramaya University (former Alemaya Agricultural University), then by Jimma University in October 2006. Agricultural Economists in Ethiopia and all over the world contribute important subject in economic development and policy, they take the responsibility for extension services and formulation of state and national policies toward the agricultural development. Economists initiate empirical research and the joint application of theory and mathematics as well as Statistics. However, before the 1950s few General Economists did empirical research; these make Agricultural Economists the first econometricians. The work of Agricultural Economists shows that the professionals has developed large contribution from the stand point of individual economic efficiency in production and marketing, but  little attention has been given to the questions relating to state and national agricultural policy. The review results in this paper predicting currently about 60% of Agricultural Economists employed in different nonagricultural sectors and 45% of economics department indicated to hire Agricultural Economists to fill positions in their faculty.

Keywords: Agriculture, Agricultural Economics, General Economics, Professional, Ethiopia