Agricultural soil and its conservation in Mexico as percei

Abstract

The primary purpose of this study was to determine the perceptions of agricultural college students in Mexico toward agricultural soil and its conservation in their country. The study also determined relationships between selected characteristics of future agriculturists of Mexico and their perceptions of agricultural soil resources and soil conservation. The study was conducted during Spring, 1995. Study subjects consisted of agricultural college students from two universities in Mexico: Universidad de Chapingo and Universidad Autonoma Agraria "Antonio Narro." Professors at the universities distributed a Spanish translation of the questionnaire concerning soils in Mexico. The data were analyzed statistically to determine sample characteristics, to evaluate perceptions regarding agricultural soil and its conservation in Mexico, and to determine relationships between these perceptions and selected student characteristics. 1 . Most respondents were 22 years old or older and male. 2. Students perceived natural and human causes as somewhat major causes of agricultural soil degradation in Mexico, with human causes being more of a cause than natural causes. 3. Students felt that soil conservation efforts are needed; these efforts should be the responsibility of agriculturists, in conjunction with government's involvement. 4. Students believed that education, government subsidies, laws, and regulations would encourage agriculturists to conserve soil. 5. No significant relationships existed between the following student characteristics and students' perceptions and opinions concerning causes of soil degradation, soil conservation, and governmental responsibility for soil conservation: age, gender, size of town where respondent grew up, involvement of respondent's family in agriculture, respondents whose parents own agricultural land, years worked on a farm or ranch, semesters of college, number of soils or soils-related courses completed in college, whether respondent had or had not studied agriculture before college, and respondent's career or occupational plans. 6. A relationship existed between agricultural employment and perception of natural causes of soil degradation. Students not currently working on a farm or ranch were more likely to perceive natural causes to be greater causes of agricultural soil degradation in Mexico than were students currently working on a farm or ranch.