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About the Department of Field and Vegetable Crops

The study programme of Crop Science was established in the academic year 1958/59 and it was among the first three at the Faculty. The Institute of Crop Science was founded for the purpose of scientific and research work and, following numerous reorganisations and name alterations, the Department of Field and Vegetable Crops was established in 2002. Nowadays, the Department boasts two Sub-Departments: the Sub-Department of Crop Science and the Sub-Department of Soil, Plant Nutrition and Genetics.

The Department of Field and Vegetable Crops is a leading institution in the field of crop production (field, vegetable and fodder crops) in the AP Vojvodina with high esteem throughout the Republic of Serbia. The activities at the Department emphasise the educational, scientific, research and specialist work, focusing primarily on the improvement of plant production as one of the most important industries in the Republic of Serbia.

In addition to the basic teaching activities, the Department staff engage in scientific and research activities via research and development projects in the field of the production technology in primary plant production (crop production in open and protected spaces, fodder crop production and spice, aromatic and medicinal plant production). The Department is associated with numerous national and international institutions, the results of which are new achievements and enhanced technologies. The Department is renowned for its international cooperation in the Balkans and most EU countries. Moreover, significant professional cooperation is established between the Department and leading domestic companies in crop and animal feed production, as well as individual agricultural producers, via extension services, education, courses and specialist lectures.        

Why Study Crop Science?

The production of field, vegetable and fodder crops comprises the most important branch of primary crop production with the underlying importance for the existence of humanity. The constant and intensive growth of human population requires incessant improvements in agricultural sciences and the increased production of food accompanied by the increased market demands for high-quality and healthy food produced in an organic and ecological manner. Therefore, healthy food production, enhancing the health of human population, is considered a humane profession as much as medicine. 

The study programme of Crop Science offers knowledge, competencies and skills which are socially beneficial and justified. The main purpose of the study programme is to introduce the students to basic sciences such as botany, meteorology, soil science, soil microbiology, agricultural chemistry, genetics, plant physiology, as well as general sciences such as chemistry, mathematics, statistics, etc. The acquired knowledge should enable the detailed comprehension and practical application of major specialist disciplines such as basic plant production, seed production, plant breeding, grain and legume production, vegetable crop production, fodder crops, industrial plant production, crop irrigation under various production circumstances. Knowledge in the field of social sciences and economics facilitates the students’ understanding of production economics, as well as the importance and social justification of crop science and practice.         

Principal Objectives of the Study Programme

The principal objective of the study programme of Crop Science is to educate and train the students for working directly in agricultural production, growing field, vegetable and fodder crops, as well as improving the yield and the quality of crops while preserving the environment. The purpose of the study programme is to prepare students for the expertise of a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture. The whole educational concept is aligned with the requirements and development of agricultural production in Serbia and the AP Vojvodina, based on the principles of sustainable development which integrate economic and ecological benefits of the present and future generations in order to produce high-quality and safe food for personal needs and export, thus simultaneously making profit and preserving the environment.   

Upon completion of the study programme of Crop Science, the students will become professionals capable of improving and applying the acquired knowledge in production practice. The obtained degree also encompasses some important aspects of biotechnological science in the field of plant production.

Employment Possibilities

• Primary agricultural production (crop production in open and protected spaces, fodder crop production and spice, aromatic and medicinal plant production) in agricultural companies, agro-industrial complexes, private farms and various production associations;

• Seed production facilities, centres and silos; centres for processing, drying and storing agricultural products;
• Raw material sector of the processing industry (sugar factories, oil factories, breweries, animal feed factories, etc.)  
• Public services (agricultural services, extension services, inspection services, expert witness service), secondary and higher education institutions, scientific and research institutions;
• Sector of commerce and services (agricultural pharmacies, consulting services, representatives of domestic and foreign seed production companies, laboratories for soil and seed quality testing, as well as designing and organising agricultural companies);
• Financial sector (banks, stock exchanges, insurance companies, etc.), marketing organisations, etc.

Possibilities for Further Education

A Bachelor of Science in Crop Science is capable of pursuing further education at master’s and doctoral studies in cognate scientific fields.  

Why Study Organic Agriculture?

The ever increasing demand for products made by the application of organic agriculture methods requires new scientific findings on sustainable systems of organic production. Simultaneously, reports on negative effects of intensive agricultural production on water and soil quality, biodiversity and animal welfare have caused public concern about the ways in which food is produced.

Organic agriculture represents a production system which is able to meet the requirements of society so that its final product is quality and safe healthy food. This process is followed by the conservation and renewal of natural resources, as well as the return to traditional values and expertise in agricultural production.

Completing the Organic Agriculture Study Programme, our students gain a bachelor’s degree in organic agriculture, becoming competent on national, European and world scales, respectively. They also become trained for primary and secondary organic production or for further education and professional specialization.

The significance of the Organic Agriculture Study Programme lies in the fact that organic production is taking an important position in the Serbian national programme, especially in the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina. Therefore, the purpose of this study programme is to train highly skilled experts in rational and sustainable plant and animal production.

Completing the Organic Agriculture Study Programme, students gain necessary knowledge which they can apply in practice or in their further scientific and research work.  

Principal Objectives of the Study Programme

Since the key idea of organic production is based on the thesis that exploitation should be adjusted to natural conditions and that soil recovery should be provided, the aim of the Organic Agriculture Study Programme is that students master the methods which are to enable them to produce quality and safe food. Simultaneously, the negative effects of intensive agricultural production on ecosystems should be diminished.

Student are trained to become competent in highly expert direct work in organic production, i.e., to apply professionally modern and efficient technologies in production circumstances. Future experts are educated to actively and efficiently follow all contemporary findings in the field of organic agriculture. Also, they become able to develop and improve the efficiency of such production in practice.

The Programme’s special aim is the idea of developing different levels of knowledge and raising students’ awareness about the necessity of permanent education, especially in the context of sustainable development.

Employment Possibilities

• Businesses dealing with or related to agriculture
• Government and administration bodies; local government (agricultural agencies, agricultural extension services etc.)
• Education
• Laboratories at faculties and institutes
• Banks and other businesses

Possibilities for Further Education

Bachelors of Science in organic agriculture are competent to further their education by pursuing master and doctoral studies within the related fields of science.