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Agricultural Journal

Improving Technology Perception Through Information and Education: A Case of Biotechnology in Nigeria
A.E. Adekoya and O.I. Oladele

Abstract: This study investigated improving technology perception through information and education: A case of biotechnology in Nigeria, due to the importance the subject currently enjoys. The study was conducted in Edo and Delta states of Nigeria. A workshop was organized for the sole purpose of presenting information on biotechnology as a field and as a necessary technology that can be safely adopted by even peasant farmers. The several areas of biotechnology where the audience can participate and explore were presented by speakers. Ninety-five participants at the workshop formed the respondents for the study and a questionnaire was designed to elicit information on the participants� awareness, knowledge, perception and attitude about biotechnology and its products, before and after the workshop. The results show that the ages of the respondents which ranged from 19-56 years with a mean and mode of 41 years. It also reveals that all the participants, apart from 14.8%, had educational qualification higher than secondary school. Majority (63%) were civil servants including those from the Ministry of Agriculture and Research Institutes, 24% from the academia and others from private organisations. Through the education method, there was change in perception after training. Before the workshop 67.4% of the respondents said they would eat food made from GM crops however, at the end of the workshop 80% of the same group of respondents indicated they will eat food made from GM crops. The test of difference on this item (disposition before and after the workshop) gave a t-value of 4.569 which was significant at 0.00 level. Information dissemination through method of training has contributed to change in perception of biotechnology in Nigeria.

How to cite this article
A.E. Adekoya and O.I. Oladele , 2008. Improving Technology Perception Through Information and Education: A Case of Biotechnology in Nigeria. Agricultural Journal, 3: 414-417.

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