Case study on Risk and Benefit of Genetically Modified Nitrogen-use Efficient Water-use Efficient and Salt-tolerant Rice Breed in Nigeria

Abstract

This study aimed to examine the perceived risks and benefits of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) in Nigeria with a focus on the agricultural technology of nitrogen use efficient, water use efficient, and salt-tolerant (NEWEST) Rice. A descriptive survey method was adopted for this study. Using a convenient sampling technique, 100 residents were drawn from the general population as respondents for this study. The questionnaire which was the instrument for data collection was administered to the respondents by the researcher personally. The results show that 58% of respondents will buy or eat NEWEST Rice. About 20% of the respondents would buy or eat NEWEST Rice because of its cheaper price, 15% for its nutritional benefits, and 13% for its better look and taste. Findings from this research also revealed that the perceived risks of NEWEST Rice are cross-pollination, adverse effects to human health, not looking and tasting good like organic rice, and antibiotic resistance in humans. The benefits identified include an abundance of rice supply to reduce poverty and starvation in Nigeria, improve the efficiency, profitability, and productivity of farmers, NEWEST Rice can minimize the use of water and fertilizer, better nutritional qualities, and reduction in pesticide use. This study, therefore, shows that NEWEST Rice will be averagely accepted (58%) in Nigeria. However, due to the intense debate on GM crops, there is a need for an improvement in the efficacy of scientific communication. There is also a need to create an informed, balanced public perception on the important issue of genetic engineering used in agriculture, even from the confined field trials, multi-location trials and use of GM crops in Nigeria.