CAAS Researchers Examine Factors Affecting GM Maize Adoption in China

A study conducted by researchers from the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS) analyzed key factors influencing farmers' willingness to adopt genetically modified (GM) insect-resistant maize in Southwest China. The findings of the study are published in GM Crops Food.

The study surveyed 426 maize farmers in Pu'er City, Yunnan in China to evaluate factors affecting their willingness to adopt GM insect-resistant maize. The variables examined in the study include GM cognition, risk perception (environmental and market-related), value orientation (egoistic, altruistic, pro-national, pro-ecological), and social trust (trust in government, peers, seed companies, etc.).

The results showed that farmers with a higher understanding of GM crops are significantly more willing to adopt GM insect-resistant maize. Trust in government, peers, and extension agents was also observed to strongly influence adoption. The researchers also found that older farmers and those with more training sessions are more likely to adopt. The study recommends enhancing farmer education on GM technology, building institutional and social trust, and providing risk management training to improve adoption rates of GM maize.

For more information, read the article from GM Crops & Food.