Survey Asks Reasons Farmers Use GMOs

A new survey reveals that main reason that farmers have increased their use of GM crops is sustainability. This farmer survey was sponsored by the National Corn Growers Association and the U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance.

The survey asked farmers their opinions about GMOs and genetically modified traits and discovered that 98 percent of those surveyed believe these technologies allowed them to lessen their impact on the environment.

National Corn Growers Association Chairman Chip Bowling shares that there is a lack of understanding among consumers about the beneficial link between GMO technology and sustainability.

Bowling: "Several things we know that consumers — when you talk about GMOs only 11 percent of consumers see GMOs as being favorable. But if you talk about increased yields and efficiencies, than 50 percent believe that GMOs are on the right path. Most consumers now like technology and when someone like me talks about the technology that we're using than they find it more appealing. Again the age-old thing is have to tell your story. People are more likely to believe a farmer or someone who is actually doing it than they are just reading a survey or having someone in front of them reading a report. The most important thing is the the personal message they hear from us."