Farmers’ Willingness to Adopt Late Blight-Resistant Genetically Modified Potatoes
The commercialization of genetically modified (GM) crops remains highly contested in the European Union (EU). While research has mainly focused on public and consumer opinions, few studies have investigated farmers’ reactions towards such crops. This study aims to determine farmersR...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2019-05-01
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| Series: | Agronomy |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/9/6/280 |
| _version_ | 1818454365656055808 |
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| author | Hans De Steur Ellen J. Van Loo Jasmien Maes Godelieve Gheysen Wim Verbeke |
| author_facet | Hans De Steur Ellen J. Van Loo Jasmien Maes Godelieve Gheysen Wim Verbeke |
| author_sort | Hans De Steur |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The commercialization of genetically modified (GM) crops remains highly contested in the European Union (EU). While research has mainly focused on public and consumer opinions, few studies have investigated farmers’ reactions towards such crops. This study aims to determine farmers’ willingness to adopt a late blight-resistant (LBR) GM potato cultivar (Bintje) in Flanders, Belgium (<i>n</i> = 384). The findings demonstrate that more than half (54.7%) of the farmers have the intention to adopt this GM potato if it becomes available. Farmers’ willingness to adopt is mainly influenced by ethical concerns about Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) (negative) and perceived economic benefits of LBR GM potatoes (positive). Knowledge about GM technology decreases the likelihood of being indifferent, as compared to being willing to adopt or being opposed. As such, efforts to improve knowledge alone would not be considered an effective strategy to improve adoption rates among farmers. Socio-economic concerns about GMOs, environmental benefit perceptions of LBR GM potatoes, and socio-demographic and farm variables were not significant as potential determinants of farmers’ likelihood to adopt this GM potato. Our findings lend support to a potentially favorable climate to introduce this GM potato in Flanders, Belgium, an EU region where opt-out measures to restrict cultivation of approved GM crops were not taken. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-14T21:53:44Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-d6980fcb462741e0941b980c6986929e |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2073-4395 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-14T21:53:44Z |
| publishDate | 2019-05-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Agronomy |
| spelling | doaj.art-d6980fcb462741e0941b980c6986929e2022-12-21T22:46:10ZengMDPI AGAgronomy2073-43952019-05-019628010.3390/agronomy9060280agronomy9060280Farmers’ Willingness to Adopt Late Blight-Resistant Genetically Modified PotatoesHans De Steur0Ellen J. Van Loo1Jasmien Maes2Godelieve Gheysen3Wim Verbeke4Department of Agricultural Economics, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, BelgiumDepartment of Agricultural Economics, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, BelgiumDepartment of Molecular Biotechnology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, BelgiumDepartment of Molecular Biotechnology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, BelgiumDepartment of Agricultural Economics, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, BelgiumThe commercialization of genetically modified (GM) crops remains highly contested in the European Union (EU). While research has mainly focused on public and consumer opinions, few studies have investigated farmers’ reactions towards such crops. This study aims to determine farmers’ willingness to adopt a late blight-resistant (LBR) GM potato cultivar (Bintje) in Flanders, Belgium (<i>n</i> = 384). The findings demonstrate that more than half (54.7%) of the farmers have the intention to adopt this GM potato if it becomes available. Farmers’ willingness to adopt is mainly influenced by ethical concerns about Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) (negative) and perceived economic benefits of LBR GM potatoes (positive). Knowledge about GM technology decreases the likelihood of being indifferent, as compared to being willing to adopt or being opposed. As such, efforts to improve knowledge alone would not be considered an effective strategy to improve adoption rates among farmers. Socio-economic concerns about GMOs, environmental benefit perceptions of LBR GM potatoes, and socio-demographic and farm variables were not significant as potential determinants of farmers’ likelihood to adopt this GM potato. Our findings lend support to a potentially favorable climate to introduce this GM potato in Flanders, Belgium, an EU region where opt-out measures to restrict cultivation of approved GM crops were not taken.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/9/6/280Adoption, attitudeBelgium, farmergenetic modificationGMpotato |
| spellingShingle | Hans De Steur Ellen J. Van Loo Jasmien Maes Godelieve Gheysen Wim Verbeke Farmers’ Willingness to Adopt Late Blight-Resistant Genetically Modified Potatoes Agronomy Adoption, attitude Belgium, farmer genetic modification GM potato |
| title | Farmers’ Willingness to Adopt Late Blight-Resistant Genetically Modified Potatoes |
| title_full | Farmers’ Willingness to Adopt Late Blight-Resistant Genetically Modified Potatoes |
| title_fullStr | Farmers’ Willingness to Adopt Late Blight-Resistant Genetically Modified Potatoes |
| title_full_unstemmed | Farmers’ Willingness to Adopt Late Blight-Resistant Genetically Modified Potatoes |
| title_short | Farmers’ Willingness to Adopt Late Blight-Resistant Genetically Modified Potatoes |
| title_sort | farmers willingness to adopt late blight resistant genetically modified potatoes |
| topic | Adoption, attitude Belgium, farmer genetic modification GM potato |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/9/6/280 |
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