Assessing knowledge and willingness to use genetically modified crops in Uganda

IF 5.4 Q2 Agricultural and Biological Sciences

Agriculture and Food Security Pub Date : 2023-09-20 DOI:10.1186/s40066-023-00434-4

Abubakar Sadik Mustafa, Jamilu E. Ssenku, Evelyne B. Nyachwo, Grace Cherotich Ruto, Nelson Bunani, Grace Musimami, Ronald Maseruka, Godwin Anywar

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Abstract

Abstract Background There has been a lot of debate on genetically modified (GM) crops both globally and locally in Uganda. Whereas some of the debates have been informed by scientific research, many are not. The level of acceptance and attitudes of people towards GM crops is a function of their knowledge. However, there is a paucity of studies on the knowledge and attitudes of Ugandans on GM crops. This study aimed to assess the level of knowledge of GM crops in Uganda. Methods We carried out a mixed methods study in September 2021 in Bushenyi, Jinja and Wakiso districts. We conducted 18 focus group discussions (FGDs), 13 key informant interviews (KIIs) and 698 quantitative interviews. The quantitative interviews were conducted using structured questionnaires. The FGD and KI interviews were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. The qualitative data were analyzed using framework analysis and the quantitative data were analyzed using modified Poisson regression to identify factors associated with the level of knowledge of GM crops in STATA 15. Results Out of the 698 respondents interviewed, only 273 (39.1%) had ever heard of GM crops. About 204 (74.7%) of the 273 respondents reported having a moderate–high understanding of GM crops and 62.3% (170) of the respondents further reported that GM crops are harmful to their health and environment, despite some of their intrinsic benefits, such as high productivity, improved income and resilience to pests and diseases. In addition, Out of the 698 respondents interviewed, only 37.7% were wary of the possibility of the emergence of super pests due to the development of resistance to some GM crops. Conclusions Most of the community members do not have adequate knowledge about GM crops, hence, there is need for sensitization and legislation on GM crops before their release to the public.

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评估乌干达使用转基因作物的知识和意愿

背景在全球和乌干达当地都有很多关于转基因作物的争论。尽管一些辩论有科学研究的依据，但许多辩论没有。人们对转基因作物的接受程度和态度取决于他们的知识。然而，缺乏关于乌干达人对转基因作物的知识和态度的研究。这项研究旨在评估乌干达对转基因作物的认识水平。方法于2021年9月在busshenyi、Jinja和Wakiso地区开展混合方法研究。我们进行了18次焦点小组讨论(fgd)、13次关键信息提供者访谈(KIIs)和698次定量访谈。定量访谈采用结构化问卷进行。FGD和KI的采访被录音并逐字转录。采用框架分析对定性数据进行分析，采用修正泊松回归对定量数据进行分析，确定影响STATA 15地区转基因作物知识水平的因素。结果在698名受访者中，只有273人(39.1%)听说过转基因作物。在273名答复者中，约有204人(74.7%)报告对转基因作物有中高程度的了解，62.3%(170)的答复者进一步报告说，转基因作物对他们的健康和环境有害，尽管它们具有一些内在的好处，如高生产力、提高收入和抵御病虫害的能力。此外，在698名受访者中，只有37.7%的人担心由于对某些转基因作物产生抗性而出现超级害虫的可能性。结论大部分社区成员对转基因作物缺乏足够的认识，因此，在转基因作物向公众投放之前，有必要对其进行宣传和立法。

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来源期刊

Agriculture and Food Security Agricultural and Biological Sciences-Agronomy and Crop Science

CiteScore

6.60

自引率

0.00%

发文量

期刊介绍： Agriculture & Food Security is a peer-reviewed open access journal that addresses the challenge of global food security. It publishes articles within the field of food security research, with a particular focus on research that may inform more sustainable agriculture and food systems that better address local, regional, national and/or global food and nutritional insecurity. The journal considers cutting-edge contributions across the breadth of relevant academic disciplines, including agricultural, ecological, environmental, nutritional, and socio-economic sciences, public health and policy. The scope of the journal includes, but is not limited to: -Agricultural and environmental sciences, including genetics and systems ecology- Animal husbandry, fisheries science and plant science- Global change, biodiversity, climatology and abiotic stresses- Food technology and balancing agricultural outputs across food, feed, fibre and fuel- Economics, information sciences and decision theory- Strategies for the implementation of new policies and practices- Public health in relation to the condition of food and nutritional security. The pioneering advances in research reported in Agriculture & Food Security have far reaching implications both for the developing world and for sustainability in the developed world. The published articles are accessible not only to researchers, but are also of special interest to the wider community of farmers, development and public health workers, policy makers and the general public.