Drivers of farmers' intentions to adopt genome-edited cassava resistant to cassava brown streak disease in Uganda.
Farmers in Uganda are inclined to adopt genome-edited cassava if it becomes available, influenced by their attitudes and perceived control over the adoption process.
Where it sits
this study against the rest of the eloralintide corpusSummary and findings
This study examined farmers' intentions to adopt genome-edited cassava resistant to cassava brown streak disease in Uganda. Data was collected from 357 cassava farmers and analyzed using partial least squares structural equation modeling. The results indicated positive intentions toward adopting GE cassava, influenced by various psychological factors.
Abstract
Genome editing has been increasingly promoted as a promising breeding technology to strengthen the agrifood system. However, its success largely depends on farmers' adoption of the technology, a topic that remains insufficiently addressed in current literature. This study applies the model of goal-directed behavior (MGB) to examine farmers' adoption intention for genome edited (GE) cassava, resistant to cassava brown streak disease, in a hypothetical scenario in a developing country context. Data was collected from a cross-sectional survey of 357 cassava farmers in Northern Uganda and analyzed using partial least squares structural equation modeling. The results show that farmers have positive intentions toward adopting GE cassava if it becomes available in the market. However, their intentions to adopt depend on their attitude, perceived behavioral control, desire, positive anticipated emotions and subjective norms. Negative anticipated emotions and subjective norms had no significant influence on the desire to adopt GE cassava. The findings also highlight the mediating role of desire and the role of affective drivers in shaping adoption intentions, underscoring the importance of dual process perspectives in agricultural technology adoption. Farmers' education level and experience emerged as important moderators for certain model pathways, revealing a need for segmented approaches for fostering the adoption of GE cassava once they are available. This study contributes empirically by extending the application of the MGB to agricultural biotechnology and offers practical insights for future development and deployment of GE crops in developing country contexts like Uganda.
Background
The paper addresses the adoption of genome editing in agriculture, specifically focusing on cassava resistant to cassava brown streak disease. Prior literature has identified the importance of farmer adoption for the success of agricultural technologies, but there is limited empirical evidence on the psychological factors influencing these intentions. This study aims to fill that gap by applying the model of goal-directed behavior to understand the intentions of farmers in a developing country context.
Methods
A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 357 cassava farmers in Northern Uganda. The study utilized partial least squares structural equation modeling to analyze the data. Primary outcome measures included farmers' intentions to adopt GE cassava based on various psychological factors.
Results
Farmers showed positive intentions toward adopting GE cassava if it becomes available, influenced by their attitudes and perceived behavioral control. The study did not report specific numeric findings for the primary endpoint.
Interpretation
The findings align with existing literature that emphasizes the role of psychological factors in technology adoption. While the intentions are statistically significant, the clinical relevance remains uncertain as the actual adoption behavior may differ. Limitations include reliance on self-reported data and hypothetical scenarios, which may not accurately predict real-world outcomes.
Key findings
- 357 cassava farmers surveyed in Northern Uganda.
- Farmers have positive intentions toward adopting GE cassava if available in the market.
- Attitude, perceived behavioral control, desire, and positive anticipated emotions influence adoption intentions.
- Negative anticipated emotions and subjective norms had no significant influence on the desire to adopt GE cassava.
Limitations
- Self-reported intentions may not reflect actual behavior.
- Hypothetical scenarios used in the study.
- Study focused on a specific region, limiting generalizability.