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Consumer Knowledge and Perceptions Regarding Genetically Modified Foods: A Case Study of Two Cities in Botswana

Hulela K, Maruapula SD, Peters S

The purpose of this study was to investigate the consumers’ knowledge and perceptions regarding the availability, acceptance and consumption of Genetically Modified Foods in Botswana. The study used a questionnaire to collect quantitative data from 400 consumers at 10 supermarkets located in Francistown and Gaborone. Systematic random sampling technique was performed and consumer respondents were picked at the entrance of each supermarkets every day between 8 am to 5 pm in the month of June 2016. Data were analyzed computed for simple frequencies and percentages. The findings exposed that majority of the consumers were females (59 percent), slightly above half (54 percent) were aged between 21 and 30 years old with majority of them having tertiary education. The study also revealed that consumers seem to be knowledgeable about availability, seemed to accept and was positive about the genetically modified foods. The findings implied that genetically modified foods were deemed to be solving issues related to food shortage for the growing population globally. The study recommended that a national study be conducted to cover all regions and a mixed methodology be used to gather in-depth information.