The BSc-MSc Programme Organic Agriculture (OAg) is a new educational track at Wageningen University. OAg has been designed to train students in multiple aspects of organic agriculture and the associated processing and marketing chain. An important goal is to prepare the students for interdisciplinary teamwork at an academic level.
This study is unique in that it combines detailed consideration of the underlying principles and processes from a natural science perspective with social and economic studies. Creative thinking is required to design new sustainable farming and marketing systems instead of optimizing existing systems. The programme will have an international character with case-studies and project opportunities in both the developed and developing world.
A three-year BSc phase is followed by a two-year MSc phase, including a practical work experience period. For students who have extensive field experience this work experience period can be waived, so that the MSc education takes one and a half years for these students. Graduates will find career opportunities in agribusiness, research, extension, non-governmental organizations and public administration.
The MSc curriculum has been carefully formulated to provide a balance between fundamental and applied science. Problem-guided and project-oriented education are core learning methods within this curriculum. The programme starts with a number of common course elements, which are taken by all students. In-depth training follows during subject-matter courses and thesis research in one of the two areas of specialization:
- Farm and Rural Environment
- Consumer and market
The MSc programme OAg is co-ordinated by the Life Sciences Educational Institute at Wageningen University. Faculty members from various disciplines (among others agronomy, ecology, soil science, animal science, pest and disease management, food technology, sociology, communication science and economics) participate to make this a rounded and holistic programme.
Specialization Farm and Rural Environment
As a result of concerns about the sustainability of conventional farming practices, food safety issues, and pollution of the environment, an ever-growing group of consumers demands natural and wholesome agricultural products that are produced in an environmentally friendly and socially acceptable manner. Organic agriculture is one of the forms of agriculture that could satisfy these requirements. In addition to the demand for organic products by consumers in industrialized countries, there is a need for scientific ecological farming practices in developing countries and countries in economic distress since farmers in those regions cannot afford external inputs like pesticides, fertilizers, or expensive seeds. A systems approach that integrates interdisciplinary knowledge is crucial to study different aspects of plant and animal production at different integration levels from crop and herd to farm and rural area.
Courses are geared towards: analysis and design of sustainable, organic farming systems; insight in the relationships between plant and animal production, soil, and nature; understanding of management options for sustainable, organic farming compared with conventional farming; ethics of animal welfare; biodiversity conservation; insight in factors affecting plant and animal health, and quality of organic products.
Finally, students learn to do holistic, integrated research including the appropriate evaluation methodology and participate in research projects on organic farming systems or rural development. The research can be carried out individually or in collaboration with students in one of the other specializations.
Specialization Consumer and Market
To realize the widespread goal of expansion of organic production, consumer demands for organic products would need to grow. Socio-economic constraints are major stumbling blocks for such an expansion. Understanding of consumer preferences, psychology and communication theory is essential to realize the societal goal of a healthy and environmentally friendly food and fibre production system. Production, processing, and marketing of organic products is increasingly affected by international and state policies and legislation. Insight in development and formulation of such legislation is crucial for expansion of the organic food and fibre production system.
Courses are geared towards: analysis of consumer perception of product quality; use of theories and models to analyse consumer behaviour in view of developing marketing strategies; knowledge and insight into the interrelations between government policies and consumer behaviour; development of strategies for certification and trademarks for organic products; understanding and design of an institutional environment conducive for formation of marketing chain agreements; logistics for processing and marketing of organic products; price formation for organic products; regionalisation versus internationalisation of production and consumption. Finally, the tools will be learned to analyse complex, multivariate problems in preparation of the thesis research, which can be carried out individually or in collaboration with students in one of the other specialisations.
For further information and advice on tailoring the study programme to meet individual needs, please contact Cor Langeveld (Centre for Crop Systems Analysis (CCSA)).
