Michelle Hayes, Genti Kostandini, Jeffrey L. Jordan
University of Georgia

This article investigates farmers’ perceptions of biopharming in the United States through a survey administered to tobacco farmers from several tobacco growing states. Responses indicate that farmers have very limited knowledge of biopharming and most of them do not have any concerns about risks associated with this emerging technology. In addition, results reveal that farmers’ willingness to grow biopharming crops depends largely on economic incentives. Given that some biopharming products are already making their way to the market more efforts to increase farmers’ knowledge of biopharming may help future interactions between farmers, policy makers concerned with biopharming regulations and biopharmaceutical companies.

Key words: Agricultural biotechnology, biopharming, farmer surveys, risk perception, technology acceptance, transgenic tobacco, willingness to grow.