Stakeholders perception about environmental and health hazards of genetically modified crops in Punjab

This paper investigates the perception of various stakeholders about environmental and health hazards of the genetically modified crops and foods. A total of one hundred and fifty respondents were selected for the study which comprised of 120 farmers selected from two highly producing districts of Punjab in terms of GM crops along with twenty extension personnel and ten research scientists. Findings of the study revealed that majority of farmers, extension personnel and research scientists rejected perceived environmental and health hazards. Correlation analysis revealed that age, farm experience and innovativeness contribute significantly and linearly to the perceived environmental and health concerns of farmers. The multiple regression analysis determined the contribution of factors like mass media exposure, extension contacts, progressiveness and risk orientation in diminishing the environmental and health concerns, more concretely with how much amount. Therefore, modern techniques in agriculture need to be well targeted in accordance to the socio-psychological and socio-personal factors of farmers.