Scientists at Indian Institute of Vegetable Research (IIVR) conducted a survey to evaluate the awareness and knowledge level of extension officials in Eastern Uttar Pradesh about Bt brinjal (eggplant), a biotech crop nearing commercialization in India. Results showed that most of the respondents (77.12%) have inadequate basic knowledge about the crop. Thus, it is recommended that an awareness program would be implemented to increase the knowledge of extension officials on Bt brinjal. This is important because extension officials are the institutional mechanism of extension in the country and they are in direct contact with the farming community.

The research article is published at a special issue of Indian Research Journal of Extension Education: http://www.seea.org.in/special_issue/vol1/45.pdf.

(First published on Crop Biotech Update (ISAAA Newsletter), http://www.isaaa.org/kc/cropbiotechupdate/article/default.asp?ID=10612, February 6, 2013.)