This research aims to increase the understanding of consumers of the quality differences between environment friendly and general agricultural products. First, the research investigates and analyzes the current conditions of consumer education about e...
This research aims to increase the understanding of consumers of the quality differences between environment friendly and general agricultural products. First, the research investigates and analyzes the current conditions of consumer education about environment friendly agricultural products that are feasible to increase trust. The characteristics and problems associated with consumer education of environment friendly agricultural products are identified and evaluated. This paper also suggests the revitalization scheme for the purpose of increasing the consumption of environment friendly agricultural products and thereby providing the necessary information for future research for stabilized production of the eco-products and social welfare.
210 households residing in Daegu city and 23 educational institutions including the people engaged in the agricultural sector have participated in the research using a set of questionaries. The results points out a couple of problems. The needs of wants of the receivers of education, that is consumers, have been improperly reflected. Moreover the educational events were a matter of repetition being considered as a one time simple event. In addition, the information provided in the events were usually for production and educational support such as budget and teaching staff recruitment was rather unsatisfactory in general. In overall, cooperative work between consumer education parties are insufficient.
The paper suggests the revitalization scheme. First of all, transformation of the current education towards consumer-centered is indispensable. It also includes the development of program that can evoke interests of the participants and that differs by age and social level. Furthermore, progressive program which can lead to the practising step through repetition should be formulated. Second, improvement of consumer education linked with region-specific social educational programs including Women hall and total social welfare center will be supportive.
Third, diversification of field-training which is self-discovering learning is necessary. For example, the number of farming and harvest experiences and excursions to environment friendly farms should be expanded.
Fourth, the consumer education should be initiated around the people engaged in the agricultural sector and productional groups. This would be effective as it can not only gather information that consumers need but also address issues immediately.
Fifth, development of consumer-education centered infrastructure is needed. Designation of executor who is in charge of consumer education and consumer information center for environment friendly agricultural products will be efficient. In addition, networking between producers and consumers and expansion of cyber-education linked to cyber-educational institute help revitalize the conditions.
Sixth, it is to produce a diverse level of consumer target. Women leaders, nutritionists, teachers, government employees and even the people who work in the firms should be in the arms of reach in the educational scheme, not only limited to households.
Lastly, to systematize consumer education a cooperative structure between interested parties should be established. It will allot tasks, specialize between fields and also removes the possible constraints through cooperation between them, which in turn revitalization in effect.