Expected Profitability and Perception Drive Farmer’s Participation in GM Crop Farming

Jan 17, 2025

A study conducted by researchers from Peking University, Central University of Finance and Economics, and the University of Finance and Economics highlights the factors affecting the low participation rate in collective cultivation of genetically modified (GM) crops among small farmers in many developing countries.

The study found that expected profitability significantly influences small farmers' willingness to participate in GM crop farming. Farmers are more likely to engage in collective cultivation of GM crops if they see the potential of GM crops to bring profit to their farms. Aside from profitability, the authors said that the perception of relative technological advantages is a critical driver and motivator of adoption behavior among small farmers in resource-limited, competitive market environments.

Risk perceptions about GM crops were also found to significantly reduce farmers' willingness to participate, even when profitability expectations and adaptability are high. Based on the findings, the researchers suggest that promoting GM technology should focus on its potential to improve livelihoods. They also cited policy recommendations for policymakers and agricultural development practitioners to enhance farmers' trust and understanding, market competitiveness, and economic independence

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Video: How American Farmers Harvest 1.15 Billion Pounds of Sunflowers

Across the open plains of North Dakota and South Dakota, sunflower fields turn the American landscape into a sea of gold. In this farming documentary, we go inside modern sunflower farming to see how farmers plant, grow, harvest, clean, dry, process, and transform sunflower seeds into valuable products used every day.

In 2024, American farmers harvested about 1.15 billion pounds of sunflowers. This video follows the full journey from warm spring planting to combine harvesting, seed cleaning, storage, oil extraction, refining, roasting, packaging, and animal feed production.

You will see how sunflower seeds are processed into cooking oil, roasted snacks, bakery ingredients, birdseed, livestock feed, and useful byproducts. From golden fields to modern processing plants, this is the story of how a beautiful flower becomes one of America’s important oilseed crops.

Watch until the end to discover how sunflower farming connects farmers, machines, factories, food production, and sustainable agriculture.