Consumer Attitudes toward GM Food and Pesticide Residues in India |
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Authors: | Vijesh V Krishna Matin Qaim |
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Institution: | Vijesh V. Krishna is a postdoctoral fellow in the Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, University of California at Berkeley.;Matin Qaim is a professor in the Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Development, Georg-August-University of Göttingen, Germany. |
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Abstract: | Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) vegetables will likely be commercialized in India soon. The technology could reduce pesticide residues in foods. Yet it is unclear whether consumers will appreciate this health advantage, or whether potential GM crop risks will dominate their attitudes. Using contingent valuation methods and a sample of urban households, we find that almost 60% of consumers would purchase Bt vegetables at current conventional vegetable prices, indicating a high acceptance level. The rest would purchase at a certain price discount. Strikingly, the required discount increases for people particularly concerned about pesticide residues, demonstrating that risk-averse consumers do not easily offset technology benefits against perceived risks. |
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