Awareness, Knowledge, and Perception of Genetically Modified Foods Among Maize Farmers in Uasin Gishu and Trans-Nzoia Counties, Kenya

Abstract

Several awareness studies have generally reported that the public is aware of genetically modified foods (GMFs). However, when their knowledge is probed, most studies have indicated that the public tends to fail to demonstrate an understanding of GMFs equivalent to the awareness levels reported. Nevertheless, there is scarce knowledge on the role of information on public knowledge of GMFs. In this study, we administered a semistructured questionnaire to 298 farmers from Uasin Gishu and Trans-Nzoia counties in Kenya to assess their awareness, test their knowledge, and examine their perception toward GMFs. We then interrogated the farmers’ reported sources of GMFs information to determine the nature and quality of information accessible to them and its role in their knowledge and perceptions toward GMFs. Findings indicate that despite 99.3% of the farmers reporting being aware of GMFs, most had inadequate knowledge. Farmers receive unreliable information from sources that warrant misinformation, confusing them about GMFs. This confusion leads to farmers’ concerns primarily about the perceived risks of GMFs on human health and the environment. Scientific information about GMF is scarce, giving room for misinformation and increasing farmers’ anxiety and scepticism about GMFs. Still, farmers were found to be more optimistic than negative toward GMFs. The study concludes that inadequacy of knowledge is associated with the nature and quality of information farmers receive. We recommend that scientists and other parties involved with GMF rethink their communication strategies to engage the public with reliable and understandable facts about GM technology and foods to allow farmers and the general public to make informed decisions.