نقش ترويچ كشاورزي در ارتقاء اخلاق زيست محيطي كشاورزان

The Role of Agricultural Extension in Enhancing Environmental Ethics among Farmers

Background: The use of new enhanced technologies in agriculture not only has increased agricultural production but also endangered environmental sustainability. Environmental degradation and pollution have been threatening life on the Earth and will cause decreased capacity for producing enough safe foods for human beings. These realities along with forming new agricultural trade and also changes in social norms and values make it necessary to disseminate environmental ethics among farmers and agriculture stakeholders to motivate them protect agricultural resources like soil, water, animals and plants. Methods: Based on descriptive methodology, this article aims to explain the most important reasons for engaging agricultural Extension in environmental ethics to protect production resources in agriculture. Conclusion: Because agriculture has ethical dimension, it is necessary that agricultural Extension, pay enough attention to incorporate environmental ethics to make sure that agricultural practices are not environmentally destructive. The need for environmental ethics in agricultural Extension can be explained by three reasons. They are "the educational essence of agricultural Extension", "behavioral voluntary-based changes in extension works" and finally, "training Extension workers". Therefore, it is recommended that agricultural Extension provide environmental ethics education for farmers in which they become able to make right decisions while they are using agricultural production resources. It makes sure that farmers have more proper relationship with natural environment.