title: Attitudes, perceptions, and trust. Insights from a consumer survey regarding genetically modified banana in Uganda.
abstract: Genetically modified (GM) crops and food are still controversial. This paper analyzes consumers' perceptions and institutional awareness and trust toward GM banana regulation in Uganda. Results are based on a study conducted among 421 banana-consuming households between July and August 2007. Results show a high willingness to purchase GM banana among consumers. An explanatory factor analysis is conducted to identify the perceptions toward genetic modification. The identified factors are used in a cluster analysis that grouped consumers into segments of GM skepticism, government trust, health safety concern, and food and environmental safety concern. Socioeconomic characteristics differed significantly across segments. Consumer characteristics and perception factors influence consumers' willingness to purchase GM banana. The institutional awareness and trust varied significantly across segments as well. The findings would be essential to policy makers when designing risk-communication strategies targeting different consumer segments to ensure proper discussion and addressing potential concerns about GM technology.
authors.affiliation: Georg-August-University Goettingen, Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Development, Platz der Goettinger Sieben 5, D-37073 Goettingen, Germany. ekikulw@gwdg.de
authors.forename: Enoch M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Kikulwe
authors.forename: Justus
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wesseler
authors.forename: Jose
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Falck-Zepeda
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D003258:Consumer Behavior; D003257:Consumer Product Safety; D003625:Data Collection; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D028521:Musa / Q000235:genetics*; D017711:Nonlinear Dynamics; D030821:Plants, Genetically Modified; D011639:Public Opinion; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014454:Uganda