he International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA), and the Africa College of the U.K.-based University of Leeds, conducted a study in June to assess Tanzanian farmers' understanding of and attitudes towards genetically modified (GM) crops. The study was conducted in three districts of Tanzania where cassava is a staple crop. IITA plant pathogist Caroline Herron spoke recently about the study's findings. She urged the Tanzanian government to help raise farmers' level of awareness about GM crops so that they can take an active part in the debate. "The tendency of farmers to focus on short-term gains in productivity should not prevent the potential of the middle and long term risks being fully explained to them to allow them to make a clear judgment," Herron said. The study found that most farmers are more interested in increasing their knowledge of GM crops and productivity than in worrying about any long-term possible effects from GM crops. IITA and Tanzanian scientists are working to develop a GM cassava with resistance to both cassava mosaic disease and brown streak disease, according to the article.

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