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COSTA RICA – WILLING TO TRY GM BANANA
Costa Ricans Willing to Try GM Banana
10 November, 2006. Source: CropBiotech Net, www.isaaa.org/kc
Costa Rica is the second largest exporter of banana worldwide. Results of an exploratory study of the consumption and adoption of transgenic bananas in the country indicated that farmers are willing to adopt transgenic varieties because of potential savings in pest management costs. "This situation could be similar in other developing countries… any developments that could reduce management costs would be welcome by producers", wrote Francisco Aguilar and Bert Kohlmann in their paper published by the International Journal of Consumer Studies.
The research has determined that a majority of Costa Rican consumers are also willing to buy and consume transgenic bananas. Those consumers that are young, have a small household, and higher levels of education and income, were found to be more likely to try the product. Aguilar and Kohlmann recommend that consumers be informed about transgenic products, their benefits, and associated risks. Only 35% of the consumers in their research were aware of the technology.
The complete paper is at
http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/doi/full/10.1111/j.1470-6431.2006.00527.x
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