Explanation of Agricultural Ethics

Agricultural ethics deals with values and ethical issues in the production, distribution and consumption of agricultural products and foods. This study discussed the issues in agricultural ethics and examines the attitude of agricultural experts towards it. Descriptive-correlation research method is used. Research population is consisted of 120 agricultural experts from Golestan province Jihad-e-Keshavarzi organization which 53 persons were chosen as sample. Data collection was conducted through a questionnaire. The obtained data were analyzed with SPSS software. Statistical methods such as percentage, mean, standard deviation, non-weighted linear combination, correlation coefficient and Mann-Whitney test were used. Farm structure, animal ethics, food safety, environmental impacts, international trade, food security, biotechnology and research ethics are the most important issues in agricultural ethics. Findings indicated that orientation of agricultural experts towards agricultural ethics is not desirable. Furthermore, the attitude towards agricultural ethics is independent of demographic properties such as age, education level and job history. Also, there was no difference between the agricultural experts regard to their residence place (urban or rural) and also having agriculture or not. The findings indicate the total retreated of current views of agricultural experts on the agricultural ethics and meeting its requirements of the various activities related to the agricultural sector. It is therefore essential that ethical issues related to agriculture as a needed element be included in the training of human resources for the agricultural sector. Furthermore, agricultural ethics should be included in agricultural policies and development in order to compatible agriculture with the human values and virtues.