Assessment of Public Perception, Awareness and Knowledge on Genetically Engineered Food Crops and their Products in Trans-Nzoia County, Kenya

Biotechnology has been widely acknowledged as a modern tool that holds the potential to improve agricultural production. Adoption of genetically modified (GM) crops could contribute toward alleviating food insecurity in Kenya, but the attitudes and perceptions of stakeholders are crucial to the acceptance of GM products. The aim of this study was to assess public perceptions of GM crops and foods in Trans-Nzoia County, Kenya. A semi-structured questionnaire survey was conducted with 179 respondents, including 55 farmers and 124 consumers, in both rural and urban areas. The results were analyzed to determine predictors for the willingness to produce and consume GM crops and food products. Farmers’ and consumers’ perceptions influenced their approval of the use of GM technology. The results indicate that gender, basic knowledge of GM technology, and information access and dissemination are likely to influence the adoption of GM technology by farmers. Consumers who are familiar with government policy and have basic knowledge and share information on GM crops are more likely to approve of the technology than those who do not. Farmers were concerned with the environmental risks associated with GM technology and its possible effect on marketing crops both locally and abroad. Consumers expressed concerns about possible health risks, the ability of the government to protect them, and the acceptance of GM products in the local market. Disapproval of GM products by both farmers and consumers was influenced by the perception of high risks and low benefits. The findings of this study can help policymakers when designing public awareness and risk-communication strategies targeting farmers and consumers to address potential concerns when promoting the use of GM technology.