ADVANCING THE ADOPTION OF GENOME-EDITED RICE IN INDIA: A TECHNOLOGY ACCEPTANCE MODEL-DRIVEN EXTENSION STRATEGY

Abstract

Genome editing has emerged as a transformative approach for crop improvement, offering precision and efficiency without the regulatory complexities of transgenic modification. Despite India’s scientific progress in developing genome-edited rice, farmer-level adoption remains limited. This review explores how behavioural dynamics influence the diffusion of genome-edited technologies and proposes a framework for adoption based on the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). The study synthesizes peer-reviewed research published between 2000 and 2025, retrieved from Scopus and Google Scholar, to identify behavioural determinants and effective dissemination strategies. Using a theory-informed qualitative synthesis, the review maps TAM constructs Perceived Usefulness, Perceived Ease of Use, Attitude Toward Use, and Behavioural Intention to actionable extension interventions. Approximately forty studies meeting relevance and quality criteria were included for analysis following a PRISMA-inspired screening process. Findings reveal that the adoption of genome-edited rice depends less on scientific readiness and more on social trust, cognitive perception, and institutional credibility. Field demonstrations, peer learning, and ICT-enabled communication enhance perceived usefulness and ease of use, while farmer collectives and gender-sensitive networks strengthen attitude and behavioural intention. The review concludes that embedding TAM-guided behavioural insights into participatory and digital extension systems can significantly improve the scalability and inclusivity of genome edited rice adoption in India. It underscores the need for empirical field validation and integration of behavioural models into future agricultural innovation policies.