The Awareness and acceptance of genetic modification technology and germplasm for trees and agricultural crops in Uganda
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.22099383Keywords:
Biosafety protocols , Disease resistance , Environmental degradation, Harmful chemicals , TransgenicsAbstract
Uganda is yet to put in place the legal framework to enable the application of genetic modification technology (GM) and promotion of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). In this study, we explored farmers’ level of awareness and acceptance of GM technology and GMOs; we in particular focused on such for trees and agricultural crops germplasm. Results of analysis of data obtained from 158 randomly selected respondents in different districts from the North, South, East and Western Uganda show that majority (75.9%) knew what GM technology and GMOs were, 89 (56.3%) said they would accept GM technology application for trees and agricultural crops germplasm development and, 47.4% believed the technology would lead to better yields and 35.8% mentioned quick income would be realised from GM crops. Respondents who do not accept the technology perceive it to be expensive, produce tasteless crops and products shunned in the market, reduce genetic variation, and compete with indigenous species among other reasons. Overall, our findings give evidence of the readiness among farmers for the GM technology. Uganda thus needs to complete the pending policy and legal framework to enable application and research, especially focused on crop maturity time reduction and yield improvement for income enhancement. We recommend that the Parliament of Uganda enact legislation and the Executive assent to laws that will enable the application of GM technology and adoption of GMOs in agricultural production in Uganda.
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