The Agricultural Economics Group is one of the oldest and most established departments within the Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Tehran. It began its educational activities in 1963 at the undergraduate (B.Sc.) level. Through continuous scientific development, the group started admitting students at the Master’s level in 1971 and at the Ph.D. level in 1994.

Our ultimate goal is to align with the country’s development visions by training specialized, efficient, and entrepreneurial experts. In this group, students utilize the principles and foundations of economics to prepare for careers in agricultural trade and business, product marketing, policy-making, production management, and environmental economics.

We place special emphasis on advanced quantitative and qualitative methods to develop economic theories and provide practical recommendations to policymakers. Our research focuses on contemporary challenges, including the reform of government support policies, enhancement of market efficiency, sustainable development, preservation of environmental quality, and improvement of economic welfare.

Goals and Missions of the Group

The vital importance of agricultural production in ensuring food security and national independence underscores, more than ever, the necessity of integrating agricultural knowledge with the principles of economics. In today’s world, the presence of specialists capable of proper planning and economic management of production projects is essential for the transformation of the agricultural sector.

Accordingly, the main missions of the group are as follows:

• Research and Analysis: In-depth study of fundamental agricultural issues, including the economics of production and inputs, marketing, trade of agricultural products, natural resource economics, and sustainable development.
• Applied Education: Empowering students to apply business principles and develop professional skills for the efficient management of organizations and production units.
• Problem-Solving: Providing policy solutions and recommendations derived from theoretical and field-based research to overcome obstacles to agricultural development in the country.

History of the Group’s Development

The initial core of the Agricultural Economics Group was formed in 1963 under the leadership of Dr. Ahmad Houman, with the collaboration of professors such as Dr. Ziaeddin Abolzia and Dr. Nasrollah Khatibi. In subsequent years, prominent figures including Dr. Mohammad Rahmani, Dr. Fathollah Sartip Yarahmadi, Dr. Mahyar Sadrolashrafi, Dr. Manouchehr Fakhri Arshad, Engineer Manouchehr Taghavi Bayat, and Engineer Mehdi Khosroshahi joined the group.

Leadership of the group in various periods was undertaken by renowned professors, including the late Professor Dr. Abbasgholi Khajeh Nouri (known as the Father of Statistics in Iran), Dr. Mahyar Sadrolashrafi, and Dr. Majid Koopahi (one of the most influential professors in agricultural economics in Iran).

The postgraduate education program, which had started in 1971, was resumed with greater strength from 1985 after a short interruption during the Cultural Revolution. Professors of this group have always played a significant role in the university’s senior management; for example, Dr. Sadrolashrafi was elected Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture in the 1990s.

Today, with a team of experienced faculty members and researchers, the group continues to lead in the development and application of quantitative and qualitative methods in Iran’s agricultural economics.

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Heads of the Agricultural Economics Group (1963–2026)

The Agricultural Economics Group has a distinguished record of publishing scientific articles and books, as well as organizing national and international conferences. Executing dozens of successful research projects in areas such as risk management, market analysis, natural resources, and rural development in collaboration with executive institutions stands among the group’s notable accomplishments.

In this regard, two major research arms are active within the group:

• Scientific Pole for Strategic Studies on the Development of Iran’s Agricultural Sector: This center was established to create constructive interaction between domestic and international researchers. It aims to implement large-scale projects while training a core of specialized graduate students for strategic management and planning in agricultural development.
• Agricultural Insurance and Risk Research Institute: This institute began its activities in 2009 and focuses on specialized research in risk management and insurance, investment and financial management, water economics, and agricultural policy-making.

Standard educational spaces equipped with modern teaching technologies

Dedicated conference hall with advanced audio-visual systems suitable for both in-person and virtual events

Computer laboratory equipped with specialized software for modeling and econometrics

Specialized library rich in up-to-date scientific resources from around the world

Bachelor’s Degree: Agricultural Economics Engineering (B.Sc.)

Master’s and Doctoral Degrees: The field of Agricultural Economics offers four specializations:

1. Production Economics and Farm Management
2. Agricultural Product Marketing
3. Agricultural Policy and Development
4. Economics of Natural Resources and Environment