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Uganda Martyrs University Nkozi

Name: Aling Phiona

Reg No: 2019-B053-10013

Course: Bachelor of Science in agriculture

Year: Three

Semester: Two

Module & code: Professional & Applied Ethics (BSAG 3120)

Submission date: 30th June 2022

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1. Documenting your learning journey

My learning journey with the module, “Professional Development and Applied Ethics”
has been interesting, educative and life-changing. It was interesting because the module is
divergent from typical academic classes in which textbook knowledge is imparted to learners’
minds. Instead, the module includes real-life scenarios as a main aspect of learning where we
explored stories regarding various topics. In this, the module was rather fun-filled instead of
being bored with numerous academic facts tiring our brains. Personally, I was attentive to the
various scenarios that felt like bedtime stories. Moreover, it was educative for it introduced in-
depth facts about the ethical practice that I initially did not give attention to. Through the
different topics such as animal ethics, environmental impacts, food safety and security, research
ethics, agricultural biotechnology, the institutionalization of agricultural ethics, and more were
eye-opening to us as training agricultural professionals. Finally, it was life-changing since it
taught me different important things for application in real-life and it helped me consider ethics
as a significant part of professionalism.

The process of learning professional and applied ethics was filled with several special
moments for my learning. During the study on animal ethics, the illustrations and examples
brought forward were so touching. As An and Mindrila (2020) suggest, learner-centred
approaches to teaching help learners to get involved in their studies and make them enjoy the
learning process. As the lecturer expressed how professionals deal with animals, I felt overjoyed
by the idea that practising agriculturalists value animals as would human patients and clients.
The illustrations emphasized that dealing with living things must be carefully done. I cannot
forget the scenario in which a professional that ill-treated animals was called to disciplinary and
professional action. It felt touching that I learned a lot about the career path I have taken that
values life. This was an unforgettable moment in the ethics course.

On the one hand, I held to the assumption that professionalism is developed over time
and can be achieved through continuous learning. Throughout the professional and applied ethics
module, my assumption was confirmed. It was clear that one’s ability to perform duties well
develops as experience grows and through constant learning through interaction with others and
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academic methods. Exploring the field of agriculture can be challenging, but determination and
hard work create more room for learning (Sumberg et al., 2017). The confirmation of my
assumption taught me that studying ethics encourages personal reflection and improvement.
Understanding ethics helps a person to view himself more critically and evaluate his decisions
which leads to more growth as a professional. Indeed, I learned that learning ethics is the basis
for professional development for it emphasizes self-evaluation which pushes one into wanting to
improve in the areas that seem lagging per the tasks ahead.

On the other hand, the module proved me wrong in other assumptions I held before
taking it on. The idea of professionalism to me was different for I held that a professional is a
college graduate with a white-collar job. The module clarified to me that any worker that
performs his job right and well, with a heart fully and with quality is deemed a professional.
With this, my perspective of a professional changed. I have come to believe Andersson et al.’s
(2022) idea that ethical discussions both expose learners to divergent ethical opinions and offer
opportunities for comprehending the reasons behind those differences. As a student, I have been
able to expand my understanding of the concept of professionals and altered some views that
divert from ethical values, beliefs and decision-making processes.

Although the ethics module was interesting, my learning journey was challenging. My
biggest challenge was that I had a lot of unrealistic expectations regarding the practical
application of my course. For instance, I had the thought that since my communication skills
were not concrete, I would still thrive in the field for I only deal with the environment, and
animals and less with humans. I was surprised to learn that my course is as interactive as any
other something that bothered me during this module. However, I was able to overcome this
challenge for I decided to start training myself in appropriate communication skills. In the short
span of the semester, going through professional development and applied ethics, I learned that
personality, attitude and character alongside physical presentability in the workplace are
significant. It was clear that caring about improving these aspects for oneself is important in any
field. I have realized that personality is depicted by one’s image built through effective
communication and self-presentation, and this is critical to work.

My greatest lesson from the module was about choosing a career. Many times, when we
choose to take up given courses at the university, we are guided by life demands and experience.
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For instance, my choice of the Agricultural course followed that my home is highly dependent on
subsistence farming. I had the idea of reforming my community by gaining informed knowledge
regarding better methods of farming. However, although the ethics course did not challenge my
intent, it moved it to higher horizons. I have come to appreciate that selection of a career path
should be based on critical self-discovery, recognition of ethical issues and underlying moral
principles. It has surprised me that joining the agricultural career path does not require an
agricultural background but rather the drive and passion to work in a dynamic field to make a
difference. Therefore, I learned that the choice of career must build on ethical and moral grounds
rather than wishes and experiences.

Majorly, this module is critical to me in my field of work as well as my community.

Eminently, the module highlighted a lot of topics that enlighten ethical principles and their
application. In this, it is clear that one’s ethics help one to select professional positions and
environments in which one thrives (Tang et al., 2020). My knowledge of ethics will help me to
know which positions and environments that can help me perform and grow as a professional.
Notably, ethics will help me to always align my values with the values of the organizations with
which I work. In this, my commitment to work and the company will increase and hence I will
most likely achieve job satisfaction and greater performance. Harris (2022) suggests that
professional ethics improve job performance as employees take pride in their jobs and feel
valued in their work. Ultimately, knowing ethics improve decision-making and individual
morality which would help me conduct myself better in my field of work.

As a consequence of this module, I am able to value the fact that professional

development makes individuals marketable and improves their reach within any field of work. I
can confidently tell that I understand the dynamics of my field of work better than before. I can
now act with conscience when practising and thus better placed in the field of agriculture for it
requires ample ethical knowledge and practice. While I used to think of gaining professionalism
from the classroom and office, I now know that this is obtained through moral and ethical
practice. For my future, I know the professional and applied ethics module has contributed a
great deal regarding success in the field of agriculture. I hope to continue learning ethical
principles and trying to practice them in daily dealings.
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References

An, Y. & Mindrila, D. (2020). Strategies and tools used for learner-centered instruction.
International Journal of Technology in Education and Science (IJTES), 4(2), 133-143.

Andersson, H., Svensson, A., Frank, C. Rantala, A., Holmberg M., & Bremer, A. (2022). Ethics
education to support ethical competence learning in healthcare: an integrative systematic
review. BMC Medical Ethics 23(29). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12910-022-00766-z

Harris, E. (2022). The importance of ethics in professional development. CareerAddict | Kickstart

and Advance Your Career. https://www.careeraddict.com/ethics-professional-growth-
career-development

Sumberg, J., Yeboah, T., Flynn, J., & Anyidoho, N. A. (2017). Young people’s perspectives on
farming in Ghana: a Q study. Food Security, 9, 151–161. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12571-
016-0646-y

Tang, S., Holmes, V., & Foley, T. (2020). Ethical climate, job satisfaction and wellbeing:
Observations from an empirical study of new Australian lawyers. The Georgetown
Journal of Legal Ethics, 33, 1035-1068. https://www.law.georgetown.edu/legal-ethics-
journal/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2020/08/GT-GJLE200049.pdf
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2. Authentic Task
Overview
Within applied ethics, agricultural ethics concerns practical ethics to address ethical
questions arising from the production and distribution of fiber and food products. For the longest
time, the field of agriculture has realized many important ethical challenges and concerns
(Thompson, 2014). In this paper, the identified ethical problem that needs to be solved is
pollution through fertilizers and pesticides and how it violates ethical principles of applied
agricultural ethics. More so, the paper indicates how this ethical problem should be handled and
suggests ways in which I intend solving the issue, including the prospect challenges in trying to
resolve it.
How Pollution through Fertilizers and Pesticides is an Ethical Problem
The increased utilization of artificial chemicals, especially pesticides and fertilizers in the
food production industry has tickled serious discussions globally. The discussions mainly
concern the high levels of pollution from agriculture, which is associated with the biggest global
challenges of climate change. According to research, the use of pesticides and fertilizers has
increased due to the high demand for food and animal feeds (Hu, 2020). Farmers are driven into
using chemicals to boost crop quality and quantity. In the end, the dangerous contents of the
chemicals are translated into the environment causing harm. Li et al. (2021) and Kim et al.
(2017) found positive correlations between exposure to fertilizers and pesticides, and health
outcomes. In summary, pesticides and fertilizers have been found to negatively affect humans,
animals, ecosystems, soil, water, and other aspects of the environment. Thus, what makes
pollution from fertilizers and pesticides an ethical problem is the fact that their utilization is
rather detrimental to the environment and humans than helpful.
Furthermore, the major problem accruing from using pesticides and fertilizers is that their
residue is persistent in water and all environmental components. Alengebawy et al. (2021) note
that degradation and pollution products in pesticides are evident in groundwater, soil, surface and
sediments of the environment at high levels exceeding the environmental standards. Hu (2020)
suggests that while pesticides are sprayed in farms to protect crops, they contaminate water, soil,
turf and vegetation. Besides killing pests, pesticides are toxic to other organisms like essential
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insects, birds, and non-target plants. There cannot be good from products that destroy the
environment this much for pollution is a global threat to life and sustainability. The pollutants
reduce the earth’s capability to serve the existing populations and future generations. Ultimately,
this implies that this pollution goes beyond the ethical agricultural practice levels, hence a
serious ethical problem.
The pollution from fertilizers and pesticides is a significant issue that violates ethical
principles of agriculture. In Uganda, the Agricultural Extension and Advisory Services (AEAS)
ethical code of conduct offers a guide on how the agricultural sector should operate in regards to
the ethical values and principles of respect, integrity, inclusion and diversity, gender and cultural
sensitivity, farmer centeredness, partnership, innovativeness, transparency and accountability,
and skills and knowledge for enhancing human welfare (MAAIF, 2018). In this code is a section
of environmental ethics which states that plants, animals, and elements like soil, air or water are
morally essential such that humans must ensure their needs are met. The use of pesticides and
fertilizers violates this ethical principle because evidence proves that these chemicals harm the
identified elements that must be protected and enhanced. Zheng et al. (2020) show that these
chemicals are pollutants since nitrogen-based fertilizers release greenhouse gases and load
waterways with harmful pollutants that contaminate water and air and food. Therefore, the
danger associated with pollution from fertilizers and pesticides indicates their violation of
agricultural ethical principles.
How to Deal With the Ethical Problem
Although pollution from applying pesticides and fertilizers in agriculture is a significant
ethical problem, it can be handled. In Uganda, the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and
Fisheries (MAAIF) through the National Agricultural Extension Policy (NAEP) and other
policies like the Poverty Eradication Action Plan (PEAP), is supposed to intervene to address
this ethical issue. Through the different agencies of the MAAIF, the agricultural sector receives
policy guidelines and standards that regulate the conduct of agricultural practices that ensure
sustainable food production. Notably, the NAEP through AEAS stipulates the environmental
ethical code that emphasizes the protection of farmland from dangerous chemicals that reduce
the value of soil, contaminate water and air, and degrade the environmental systems (MAAIF,
2019). The agency looks to protect the environment to ensure sustainable development goals are
attained through partnering with different communities. As such, it is the MAAIF that must
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intervene in addressing the pollution from fertilizers and pesticides in Uganda for this aspect is
part of its responsibility.
Insofar, the Ugandan agricultural sector through the ministry has laid and is
implementing policies and strategies for ensuring low or no pollution resulting from pesticides
and fertilizers. For instance, there are pesticide and fertilizer management actions set for
achieving a chemical-safe tomorrow with marginal negative impacts from fertilizers and
pesticides, and enabling a transition to greener and safer alternatives (MAAIF, 2021).Moreover,
the agricultural sector aiming at a healthy population through producing quality food varieties
and increasing productivity encouraged the utilization of agrochemicals for controlling pests.
They introduced Indoor Residual Spraying methods as a way of minimizing pollution.
Yet, there has been but limited progress on these strategies of reducing pollution impacts
of pesticide and fertilizer utilization. Mainly, the users of the pesticides and fertilizers are ill-
informed about managing and safe administration of the chemicals. MAAIF (2021) identified
that limited knowledge on pesticide and fertilizer usage worsened, where 29.2% of farmers spray
tomatoes after harvesting which translates into chronic exposures or food poisoning. Although
farming chemical use has increased lately with sound-management strategies in place, the
limited user-knowledge has caused more pollution and poisoning that exposes humans and their
environment to toxicity. In this, the utilitarian ethical theory that promotes ethical principles such
as beneficence, less harm and justice need to be applied in solving this problem. Applying this
theory would help in creating policies and implementation strategies that promote the
achievement of results of most benefit for the society and environment. Therefore, despite the
strides for tackling pollution from pesticides and fertilizers, the responsible agencies need to
scale up their education and awareness programs in line with utilitarianism for better results.
My Intended Contribution and Anticipated Challenges
At an individual level, I believe that there are actions I can take to solve the problem of
pollution through pesticides and fertilizers in my community. I intend to become a promoter of
utilizing non-chemical pest management methods. Some of the renowned and proven non-
chemical methods I intend to promote include physical methods like mulching, hand weeding,
trap setting, and efficient animal manure usage. MAAIF (2019) supports that non-chemical
management methods are effective and have the capacity to result in quality agricultural produce.
Essentially, non-chemical methods are no environmental polluters, meaning they are appropriate
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for overcoming the pollution related with chemicals. Involving local farmers in group learning
on how to utilize non-chemical pest management methods would be appropriate. I intend to
acquire extensive knowledge on improved ways of utilizing these methods and engage leaders on
how to create a difference. The existing local organizations dealing in agricultural produce are
my target too for these are influential in the improvement of agriculture and setting the pace for
the rest of the country.
Although I look forward to promote non-chemical management methods to avert the
pollution problem from increased use of fertilizers and pesticides, there are probable challenges.
The biggest challenge I envisage is resistance from the key stakeholders in the agricultural
sector. It is mentioned by Staudacher et al. (2021) that government officials and local farmer
agencies have individual gains from the import and supply of pesticides and fertilizers in
Uganda. With this, it would be hard to convince them on returning to non-chemical management
methods, as this would imply business losses. Besides, farmers, even with their limited
knowledge on the safe application of pesticides and fertilizers, have come to believe that the
chemicals are associated with improved productivity. Thus, implementing my intended solution
might not find place but using influential leaders can surpass these limitations.
Summary
To sum, pollution from the utilization of pesticides and fertilizers is a serious ethical
problem in regard to agricultural ethics. Ethical agricultural principles require that farming
practices be mindful of their impact on the environment and the future. Pesticides and fertilizers
are damaging to humans, soil, water and other environmental elements making it violating to
ethical principles. In Uganda, policy actions to reduce pollution from pesticides have been
implemented with limited results. The biggest challenge is know-how, which is why I suppose to
embark on raising awareness on non-chemical management, although this might be challenged
because stakeholders think chemicals are good for productivity but pollutant.
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References
Alengebawy, A., Abdelkhalek, S. T., Qureshi, S. R., & Wang, M. (2021). Heavy metals and
pesticides toxicity in agricultural soil and plants: Ecological risks and human health
implications. Toxics, 9(3), 42. https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics9030042
Hu, Z. (2020). What socio-economic and political factors lead to global pesticide dependence?
A critical review from a social science perspective. International Journal of
Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(21),
8119. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17218119
Kim, K. H., Kabir, E., & Jahan, S. A. (2017). Exposure to pesticides and the associated human
health effects. Sci. Total Environ, 575, 525-535. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2016.09.009.
Li, Q., Zhu, K., Liu, L., & Sun, X. (2021). Pollution-induced food safety problem in China:
Trends and policies. Frontiers in Nutrition, 8. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2021.703832
MAAIF. (2018). Ethical Code of Conduct for Agricultural Extension and Advisory Services
Providers. Ministry Of agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries.
MAAIF. (2019). The National Organic Agriculture Policy. Ministry of Agriculture, Animal
Industry and Fisheries. https://www.agriculture.go.ug/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/
National-Organic-Agriculture-Policy.pdf
MAAIF. (2021). Uganda Multi-Sectoral Food Security and Nutrition Project (P-149286):
Environmental and Social Management Framework. Ministry of Agriculture, Animal
Industry and Fisheries, Uganda.
Staudacher, P., Brugger, C., Winkler, M. S., Stamm, C., Farnham, A., Mubeezi, R., Eggen, R. I.,
& Günther, I. (2021). What agro-input dealers know, sell and say to smallholder farmers
about pesticides: A mystery shopping and KAP analysis in Uganda. Environmental
Health, 20(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12940-021-00775-2
Thompson, P.B. (2014). Agricultural Ethics. In: Thompson, P.B., Kaplan, D.M. (eds)
Encyclopedia of Food and Agricultural Ethics. Springer, Dordrecht.
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-0929-4_373
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Zheng, W., Luo, B., & Hu, X. (2020). The determinants of farmers’ fertilizers and pesticides use
behavior in China: An explanation based on label effect. Journal of Cleaner
Production, 272, 123054. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.123054