Browsing by Author "Nyinondi, Philbert . S"

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    Understanding of agricultural biotechnology among farmers, journalists and scientists in Tanzania
    (University of Dar es Salaam, 2019) Nyinondi, Philbert . S
    The purpose of this study was to examine understanding of agricultural biotechnology among farmers, journalists and scientists in Tanzania. The study established the status of agricultural biotechnology; awareness and the level of understanding of agricultural biotechnology among farmers, journalists and scientists; identified trusted information sources on agricultural biotechnology consulted by farmers, journalists and scientist; determined factors that influence the understanding of agricultural biotechnology and proposed agricultural biotechnology information communication model for Tanzania. The respondents were obtained through use of purposive, multi-stage, stratified and random sampling techniques. Primary data were collected using a questionnaire, Focus Group Discussion (FGD) guide. Experts’ meeting and observation guide whereas secondary data were collected through documentary review. Data collected were harmonised and organised according to research questions. Quantitative data were analysed using IBM Statistical Product and Service Solutions (SPSS) whereas qualitative data were subjected to content analysis. A sample of 414 respondents (survey) participated in the study, 34 key informants (FGDs) and 40 agricultural lead scientists (experts meeting) in Tanzania. The key findings revealed that Tanzania has policies and legal environment for the application of agricultural biotechnology. The country has two genetic engineering projects, one for maize in the confined trial and cassava in the laboratory. Tanzania has not commercialised any genetically modified crops and has no ban on modern agricultural biotechnology. Furthermore, the findings show that scientists (20.7%) and journalists (5.2%) have reasonable understanding of agricultural biotechnology. Using Genetically Modified Organism (GMO) as indicated by most (90.3%) farmers followed by journalists (81.9%) and scientists (40.5%) could not give examples. The study concludes that the level of understanding of agricultural biotechnology among various actors is relatively low. Therefore, the study recommends step by step communication approach to create awareness and understanding of agricultural biotechnology in Tanzania.