Author(s): Muhammad Adzran Che Mustapa, Ahmad Firdhaus Arham, Latifah Amin, Zurina Mahadi, Hasrizul Hashim
Rice is a staple food for most of the world’s population, and its production must be increased to meet a growing population. Genetically modified (GM) crops continue to be a controversial global issue since its commercialisation in 1996. For GM technology to be fully implemented and used commercially, it is important to assess the public’s intention to purchase GM products. Hence, this study was conducted to assess stakeholders’ intention to purchase GM rice that contains a “yield gene” from wild rice, type O. rufipogon in Malaysia and the associated predicting factors. The questionnaire was administered via face-to-face survey of 509 adult respondents. The results of this study found that the Malaysian stakeholders rated GM rice as having moderate benefits, risks and moral issues and moderately acceptable by their religion. Thus, they expressed moderate intention to purchase GM rice. In conclusion, despite the potential of GM rice to address food security issues in Malaysia, the Malaysian public were moderately enthusiastic about it.