A Study on the Necessity and Strengthening Programs of Liberal Arts Education for Second-Generation Farmers

후계농업인을 위한 인문교양 교육의 필요성과 강화방안

The decrease in the farming rates of agricultural produce importing countries has led to concerns over stable food supply and food safety and this situation demands a change in awareness on agricultural problems arising from the depletion of natural resources and environmental destruction. To preserve agriculture, importing countries are emphasizing the various roles of agriculture in order to revive its multi-functional aspects. It is obvious that differentiated strategies are needed to create values from agricultural production, and a liberal arts education can play an important role in making these strategies. However, training programs for future agricultural CEOs of the Korea National Agricultural College(KNAC) attaches too much importance on production skill and management rather than focusing on a liberal arts education. On the other hand, Poolmoo Ecological Agriculture Course carried out by Poolmoo Agriculture Technical High School located in Hongseong-Gun, Chungnam Province (which puts a high value on ecological fanning) gives more weight on a liberal arts education, taking up more than 50% of the curriculum. Also, the National Farmers Academy in Japan which reformed its whole system in 2008, has started various liberal arts educational programs. The Academy fosters creative agricultural management, attractive rural development enhancing a comfortable rural life and educates on the future of Japanese food and international environment. It is expected that the ecological and cultural roles of farming will grow in the future. So, what the KNAC needs is to increase its liberal arts educational programs and various cultural experiences in its educational curriculum to promote agricultural marketing with cultural knowledge and sensitivity.