Fischer, Klara
- Department of Urban and Rural Development, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
Abstract
There is currently limited knowledge about the effects of introducing genetically modified (GM) crops into smallholder farming or about how biosafety requirements are interpreted and adopted by smallholders. A case study was conducted on introduction of GM (Bt) maize to South African smallholders. The results reveal low general awareness about agricultural technology among smallholders and an incompatibility between smallholder practices and biosafety requirements. The implications are low understanding of biosafety measures and low compliance. Therefore, essential prerequisites for the safe introduction of GM crops to smallholders are increased smallholder knowledge on modern plant varieties and improved agricultural advisory services that better match the smallholder context. In addition, information about GM crops and biosafety implementation must be modified to better suit smallholders.
Keywords
advisory services; corn; extension activities; genetically engineered plants; genetically modified plants; GMOs
Published in
Journal of Environment and Development
2013, volume: 22, number: 1, pages: 104-124
Publisher: SAGE PUBLICATIONS INC
SLU Authors
UKÄ Subject classification
Genetics and Breeding in Agricultural Sciences
Other Social Sciences not elsewhere specified
Publication identifier
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1070496512466856
Permanent link to this page (URI)
https://res.slu.se/id/publ/56001