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The Study
Seven U.S. rice producers were interviewed by telephone between July, 2002 and October, 2002 to gather their views on GM rice. Two growers from Arkansas were contacted, three growers from Louisiana, and two from California. The purpose was to identify key issues or concerns that growers may have, to better focus our subsequent quantitative assessments of likely social and economic benefits and costs of GM rice.
Each interview lasted approximately one hour, and began by collecting background information. Constraints to rice production were discussed, and then each grower was queried about his knowledge, perceptions, and attitude regarding GM rice technologies. To foster candid discussions and honesty during the interviews, all informants were assured identity confidentiality.
Respondent Characteristics
The rice growers from Arkansas were located in Jackson and Arkansas Counties. The Louisiana farmers were from Jefferson Davis Parish, Vermilion Parish, and Cameron Parish. The California  growers were located in Sutter and Colusa Counties. The interviewees ranged from 45 to 65 years of age. All are long-time rice farmers with twenty or more years of experience; each one mentioning that he is at least a second or third generation rice producer. A majority of the growers interviewed hold an agriculture-related college degree. Many indicated that they had performed some sort of public service to the rice industry, such as serving on agriculture-related task forces, research councils or committees, or by participating in rice research field trials.
Constraints to Rice Production
The rice growers were asked to describe the major obstacles they face over the course of a growing season. They mentioned insects, fungal outbreaks, weather, and economics, but conversations across the board tended to focus on weeds. Overwhelmingly, weeds were the predominant concern of the rice farmers we interviewed.
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