Communication factors associated with farmers' knowledge and perceptions of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) corn technology in Bukidnon, Philippines

Descriptive data were analyzed through percentages, means and frequencies. More farmers (54.44%) were aware of the Bt corn technology compared to only 108 farmers (40.00%) who knew about the efficacy tests of the innovation. Yet, generally there was low awareness and moderate level of knowledge among the respondents on both Bt corn technology and field testing. Lack of information was a salient reason for ignorance of the technology and the on-going field testings. More than half of the respondents who were aware of the Bt corn technology (53.74%) favorably perceived it while a close 46.26% held a negative view, yet 103 (90%) claimed that the technology was acceptable. On the other hand, majority of the respondents (61.11%) had positive outlook of the field testing of Bt corn while only 42 (38.89%) perceived the scientific activity un favorably. About one third of the respondents professed their willingness to support the field testing of Bt corn. The chi-square test gave the following significant findings: 1) Communication factors affected the respondents level of knowledge as well as perceptions of Bt corn technology and its local field testing; 2) There was a relationship between respondents' awareness and perceptions of the local Bt corn field testing; 3) level of knowledge and perceptions of the respondents of Bt corn technology affected their acceptance of the technology; 4) respondents' support for the conduct of local Bt corn field testing was only dependent on their perceptions; 5) acceptance of the Bt corn technology influenced their support for the conduct of local Bt corn field testing. Information is vital to better decision making yet communication factors influence what people know and how they understand things and events in their environment, which in turn, affect their behavior to such phenomena