What farmers think about using crop biotechnology to boost photosynthesis in rice and potato

Abstract

Boosting crop photosynthesis holds promise for meeting the needs of a growing population in a warming climate. However, improving photosynthesis with crop biotechnology is a new prospect for farmers and other key agrifood stakeholders, who will determine the success of such pioneering plant breeding initiatives. We conducted focus groups with 62 participants in four countries to understand farmer and agrifood stakeholder perspectives towards the aim of boosting photosynthesis through biotechnology in rice and potato, two of the world’s most important crops. We found farmers were positive towards the benefits of boosting photosynthesis, although the relative importance of improving yield was debated – water and radiation use efficiency were less contested and linked to more sustainable agriculture. Farmer concerns centered on balancing the competing agronomic and market demands that new varieties would bring. Farmers in the low-income countries had few concerns about the use of biotechnology and anchored their understanding in existing biotechnology crops, such as Golden Rice in the Philippines and Bt Brinjal in Bangladesh. Farmers in Europe and industry stakeholders were more apprehensive about biotechnology crops for several reasons that were rooted in the perceived opinion of consumers and supermarkets towards biotechnology.

Horizon 2020 Framework Programme, 862127.