Organic agriculture: student perception and interest Bachelor's Degree in Agronomic Sciences1 (Exploratory Study)

Abstract

A questionnaire was applied to seniors of bachelor's degree in Agronomic Sciences, in order to know their perception of organic agriculture, as well as their needs for education in this field. The study included students from five university centers: Universidad Nacional (UNA), Universidad de Costa Rica (UCR), Universidad Estatal a Distancia (UNED), Instituto Tecnológico de Costa Rica (ITCR) and the Agricultural School of the Wet Tropical Region (EARTH). It is clear from the analysis of the results of this work that a high percentage of the students surveyed know some principles of organic agriculture and consider the acquisition or expansion of their knowledge in this area as very important. The analysis includes different definitions of organic agriculture, as well as the greater limits that students perceive that they have to overcome organic agriculture for their development. In addition, among other aspects, the perception that students had regarding the advantages and requirements of this type of agriculture was collected. At the end of the article is an annex summarizing the academic offer in organic agriculture and related topics that universities considered in this analysis have. The study presents indicators that clearly show the high degree of interest students have in expanding their knowledge in organic agriculture.