Foreword

This volume of “Research Topics in Agricultural and Applied Economics,” edited by Professor Anthony Rezitis, maintains the standards set in the previous two volumes by presenting 9 papers which report high quality applied economic research. Several of the papers adopt modern empirical approaches, such as neuro-fuzzy techniques, stochastic DEA, and choice experiments, while others are based on recent theoretical developments in the areas of new institutional economics, transaction cost economics, information and contract design. Most of the applications focus on the agricultural sector. These include ‘traditional’ topics, including the study of sector efficiency, the Common Agricultural Policy, and the agri-food chain, as well as the analysis of agri-environmental issues, such as waste disposal, the role of energy crops, and the governance of agro-ecosystem services. The volume concludes with two papers with a broader application, namely carbon offset projects and transportation infrastructure.

Readers should find much of value here, whether their interests lie in economic theory, applied techniques, policy issues or the details of the specific applications presented. The volume, together with its two predecessors, offers a very worthwhile contribution to the literature.