Awareness, attitude and perception of stakeholders about genetically modified crops in Malwa region of Punjab
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Date
2017
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Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana
Abstract
The study entitled “Awareness, attitude and perception of stakeholders about genetically
miodified crops in Malwa region of Punjab” was undertaken with objectives to study the
awareness level of different stakeholders, to measure the attitude of stakeholders, the
perceived environmental and health hazards and examine the factors associated with
awareness and attitude of farmers regarding genetically modified crop. Sixty farmers were
selected from each of the two highly producing districts of Punjab and ten extension
personnel were selected from each of the two districts. Finally ten research scientists from
Punjab agricultural university. Thus a total of one hundred and fifty respondents were selected
for the study. The data were collected with the help of interview schedule. Findings of the
study revealed that majority of farmers and extension personnel were aware about various
aspects of genetically modified crops. It was interesting to find almost half of the farmers
were having unfavourable attitude which was measured by self-constructed attitude scale
while majority of extension personnel and research scientists had favourable attitude towards
GM crops. Perception about perceived environmental and health hazards were rejected by
majority of all stakeholders. The statistical analysis conducted with the help of correlation and
multiple regression analysis produce a clear cut picture about various factors influencing the
awareness, attitude and perception of farmers. Correlation analysis revealed that mass media
exposure, extension contacts, progressiveness and risk orientation contribute significantly and
linearly to the awareness level of farmers while GM crops experience, mass media exposure,
extension contacts, risk orientation and innovativeness of farmers significantly influences
attitude of farmers towards GM crops. The perception of farmers about perceived
environmental and health hazards had significant relation with farm experience, education,
mass media exposure, extension contacts, progressiveness, risk orientation and innovativeness
of farmers. The multiple regression analysis determined the contribution of these factors more
concretely with how much amount. The study provides idea about which type of farmers
socio-psychological aspects need to be kept in mind in formulation of policy regarding
commercialization of these technologies.
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