Can Genetically Modified crops help African farmers? Reflections on ...
Can Genetically Modified crops help African farmers? Reflections on research and outreach
Matthew Schnurr Department of International Development Studies Dalhousie University Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada [email protected]
GM crops in Africa
GM crops in Uganda
Matooke Banana
Matooke banana: pests and diseases
Banana Bacterial Wilt
Fusarium Wilt
Boll weevil
Nematodes
Black Sigatoka
What do farmers have to say about GM matooke?
‘What is a gene to a farmer? …a gene it is too
advanced for the farmer’ - Policy Official #1, June 15 2010. ‘Farmers cannot understand [GM] because they have
not seen it’ - Research Scientist #1, June 6 2009 ‘…in the final stages of testing the technology, when
we have something in hand, that’s when we involve the farmers’ - Research Scientist #2, May 31 2009
Research Objectives
1. Evaluate farmers’ attitudes towards GM matooke, particularly their perceived benefits and risks 2. Assess whether GM matooke can help poor farmers 3. Bring to the fore farmers’ perspectives within this debate over the potential for GM crops to transform agricultural production in Africa
Methods
Methods
Methods
Results
Farmers offer intelligent and thoughtful perspectives
on the pros and cons of GM crops Importance of value-based preferences Certain variables shape farmer perspectives
Outreach
Key challenges De-aggregating farmers Context matters Talking with farmers rather than talking to farmers Translating findings into public and policy audiences
Ways forward
Focus on communication avenues that resonate with
farmers (e.g. radio, extension officers) Demand-driven vs. supply-driven models of
agricultural development Moving beyond pro- versus anti- debate
Wabale Nyo!
For more info please visit www.matthewschnurr.com
Matthew Schnurr Department of International Development Studies Dalhousie University Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada [email protected]
GM crops in Africa
GM crops in Uganda
Matooke Banana
Matooke banana: pests and diseases
Banana Bacterial Wilt
Fusarium Wilt
Boll weevil
Nematodes
Black Sigatoka
What do farmers have to say about GM matooke?
‘What is a gene to a farmer? …a gene it is too
advanced for the farmer’ - Policy Official #1, June 15 2010. ‘Farmers cannot understand [GM] because they have
not seen it’ - Research Scientist #1, June 6 2009 ‘…in the final stages of testing the technology, when
we have something in hand, that’s when we involve the farmers’ - Research Scientist #2, May 31 2009
Research Objectives
1. Evaluate farmers’ attitudes towards GM matooke, particularly their perceived benefits and risks 2. Assess whether GM matooke can help poor farmers 3. Bring to the fore farmers’ perspectives within this debate over the potential for GM crops to transform agricultural production in Africa
Methods
Methods
Methods
Results
Farmers offer intelligent and thoughtful perspectives
on the pros and cons of GM crops Importance of value-based preferences Certain variables shape farmer perspectives
Outreach
Key challenges De-aggregating farmers Context matters Talking with farmers rather than talking to farmers Translating findings into public and policy audiences
Ways forward
Focus on communication avenues that resonate with
farmers (e.g. radio, extension officers) Demand-driven vs. supply-driven models of
agricultural development Moving beyond pro- versus anti- debate
Wabale Nyo!
For more info please visit www.matthewschnurr.com
