Earth Precision Agriculture
Agri-food Economics and Policy Conference Track
Advancing sustainable agricultural systems through integrated research in economic analysis, data-driven decision support, production systems, and socio-economic and policy innovation
About this Track
Economics and Policy Conference for the Agri-food Sector at EPA 2026 provides a rigorous and welcoming platform for researchers to share high-quality economic and policy research that directly engages with the realities faced by farmers and agricultural producers. The track emphasizes evidence-based analysis that supports profitable, resilient, and sustainable farming while respecting producer autonomy, innovation, and local knowledge.
We convene scholars working in agricultural economics, applied microeconomics, development economics, policy analysis, and related disciplines to examine how markets, institutions, and public policies influence farm-level decision-making, risk management, and long-term producer welfare. The track highlights how economic tools and policy design can empower farmers, strengthen rural economies, and support productive and sustainable agricultural systems.
We invite submissions that explore a wide range of topics in agricultural economics and policy, including but not limited to:
Farmer-Centered Policy and Institutional Analysis
- Agricultural Policy Design and Evaluation: Economic assessment of agricultural, food, and environmental policies with a focus on farmer outcomes, including income stability, incentives, and administrative feasibility.
- Governance and Institutions: Analysis of institutions, regulations, and governance structures that shape farmer decision-making, including land tenure systems, compliance frameworks, and producer representation.
- Risk Management and Safety Nets: Research on insurance programs, disaster assistance, price stabilization mechanisms, and policy tools that help farmers manage production, market, and climate-related risks.
Markets, Prices, and Producer Incentives
- Agricultural Markets and Price Dynamics: Studies of price formation, volatility, and transmission, and their implications for farm profitability and production decisions.
- Value Chains and Bargaining Power: Research on market structure, contracting, cooperatives, and producer organizations that affect farmers’ position within agri-food value chains.
- Trade and Market Access: Economic analysis of trade policies, standards, and border measures and their effects on producer competitiveness and market opportunities.
Climate, Sustainability, and Farm Resilience
- Climate Change Economics at the Farm Level: Assessment of climate impacts on agricultural production and farm incomes, with emphasis on farmer adaptation strategies.
- Incentive-Based Environmental Policies: Evaluation of conservation programs, ecosystem service payments, and sustainability incentives that align environmental goals with producer viability.
- Balancing Sustainability and Profitability: Research examining trade-offs and synergies between environmental objectives and economically sustainable farming systems.
Technology, Innovation, and Farm Decision-Making
- Adoption and Returns to Innovation: Economic analysis of the costs, benefits, and risks of adopting new technologies, including precision agriculture and digital tools, from the farmer perspective.
- Policy and Regulation of Agricultural Innovation: Studies of regulatory frameworks shaping technology access, innovation incentives, and producer choice.
- Structural Change and Productivity: Research on productivity growth, mechanization, labor dynamics, and their implications for farm structure and family farming.
Rural Economies and Producer Livelihoods
- Farm Household Economics: Analysis of income diversification, labor allocation, and household decision-making in farming communities.
- Rural Development and Resilience: Economic research on rural employment, infrastructure, services, and policies that support vibrant farming communities.
- Equity and Inclusion in Agriculture: Studies addressing gender, youth, and generational renewal in farming, with attention to access to land, capital, and opportunities.
Food Systems, Consumers, and Farmer Welfare
- Producer–Consumer Linkages: Research on how food prices, consumer demand, and standards affect farm-gate prices and production choices.
- Food Security and Farm Viability: Economic analysis of policies that balance affordable food for consumers with fair and sustainable returns for producers.
- Changing Consumer Preferences: Studies of farmer responses to evolving market demands, labeling schemes, and quality standards.
The Leadership Team
Prof. David Zilberman
Robinson Chair
Department of Agricultural & Resource Economics
UC Berkeley
Prof. Christopher Barrett
Professor of Applied Economics and Management
Charles H. Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management
Cornell University
Dr. Guillaume Lhermie
Director
Simpson Centre
Faculty of Veterinary Medicine
University of Calgary
Dr. Farhad Maleki
Director
Centre for Precision Agriculture
University of Calgary