Tanzanian Farmers Find Yield Potential of GM Crops More Important than Risks

Farmers in Tanzania are more interested on the productivity potential of genetically-modified (GM) crops than they are worried about the possible risks associated with their use, according to a study conducted by the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) and the University of Leeds. Using disease-resistant cassava as an example, the researchers assessed the understanding and attitudes of local farmers toward GM crops. The farmers identified yield, growth patterns, pest and disease resistance, labor requirements and taste as important qualities of GM crops.

The researchers also found that the level of awareness and basic understanding of GM crops by small-scale farmers is very low. They identified the lack of related terminology in Swahili as a barrier to raising awareness on GM crops in Tanzania. Caroline Herron, a researcher at IITA, said that "it is important for the scientific community to raise the awareness level of farmers by providing accurate and objective information so they can make informed and autonomous decisions on the potential of GM crops in their agricultural practice."

The original article is available at http://www.cgiar.org/newsroom/releases/news.asp?idnews=908