maamajandust

Maamajandust, or land economy, is a field that studies and manages the economic activities related to agriculture and rural areas. It encompasses the production, processing, and distribution of agricultural and forest products, as well as policies and institutions shaping the sector.

It covers agriculture (crop production, livestock), forestry, fisheries, horticulture, agribusiness, and rural development. It also includes land use planning, soil and water management, conservation of biodiversity, and management of natural resources in rural areas. It also deals with farm business management, market analysis, price formation, and risk assessment.

Methods used include economic analysis, statistics, econometrics, policy evaluation, and planning. It interacts with environmental, social, and regional planning disciplines to promote sustainable rural livelihoods and food security.

In national contexts such as Estonia, maamajandus aligns with European Union policies like the Common Agricultural Policy and rural development programs; it is taught in universities and supported by professional associations; outcomes affect farmers' incomes, rural employment, and territorial balance.

Trends and challenges include climate change, sustainability, digitalization, precision agriculture, diversification of rural economies, and adaptation of rural areas to global markets.