The purpose of the article is to study modern approaches to the definition and theoretical substantiation of the main definitions for the formation of a complete conceptual apparatus in the organic sector of the agrarian sector of Ukraine. Research methods. The research is based on the following scientific methods: retrospective analysis for research of evolution of the formation and development of concepts of “organic” and “organic agriculture” in the international and Ukrainian science; comparison and logical for formalization and delineation of concepts of “organic” and “organica” in modern scientific literature; logical generalizations for submission of proposals for the further use of the basic terminology in the organic sector to avoid different interpretations and formation of a single conceptual apparatus in the sphere of organic agricultural production in Ukraine. Research results. It was determined that in order to fully use benefits of organic for the national economy of Ukraine, it is necessary to clearly define and understand the conceptual apparatus used in areas of scientific and methodological substantiation, formation of the regulatory framework, educational qualification support, and public education in the organic sphere. It was indicated that the meaning of a basic term “organic” has not yet have unambiguous interpretation and essence in the usage process of scientific and other literature, which is connected, on one hand, with the foreign origin of the word, and on the other hand, with the absence of its generally accepted definition in Ukraine. The term of “organic”, which international science uses in two related but still different fields in chemistry and agriculture, was considered. It was argued that a term “organic” is clearer and formalized in the agriculture and obeys unambiguous norms and rules for application. It was emphasized that a concept of “organic products” is inextricably linked with a concept of “organic agriculture” in the sense of cause and effect relationships, since organic products are directly or indirectly resulted on organic practices in the agriculture. Analysis of a definition of “organic agriculture” led to a conclusion about the complexity of the formulation of universal and comprehensive definition of this concept and full understanding of this phenomenon depends on a significant number of factors, such as economic conditions, geographical position of a country, the level of development of the agricultural sector and the national economy as a whole, etc. Use of terms “organic” and “organica” by modern scientists, which, in turn, have their own characteristics of use in the Ukrainian scientific and educational literature, was analyzed. It was determined that there is no single generally accepted vision of the difference between terms “organic” and “organica” in Ukrainian scientific literature and many scientists use these terms as synonyms, using, even in the same single article both definitions in the same sense. Elements of scientific novelty. It was proposed to clearly distinguish terms “organic” and “organica” in order to exclude confusion and misunderstandings in the process of theoretical and methodological substantiation and scientific support of the development of the organic sector of the domestic agricultural sector. Based on linguistic, informative, legal, scientific-theoretical analysis of previous studies, an extended author’s definition of organic agriculture was proposed. Practical significance. It was recommended to separate the terms “organic” and “organica” without using the latter in the definition of organic products. Only a term “organic”, from a point of view of origin and international practice of use, has direct relation to the organic sphere and is appropriate to be used in researches of the organic agriculture in Ukraine. Refs.: 27
organic agriculture; terminology; concept of “organic”; scientific approach; agricultural sector