Opinon Leadership Roles

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The role of genetic modification (GM science) has made a tremendous impact on agricultural (Adenle, Alhassan, & Solomon, 2014). Crops developed by GM science first became commercially available in the U.S. around the mid 1990s, and have quickly been adopted by farmers (Adenle et al., 2014; Cowan, 2011). According to Phillips (2008) GM science has “... increased crop yields, reduced costs for food or drug production, reduced need for pesticides, enhanced nutrient composition and food quality, resistance to pests and disease, greater food security, and medical benefits to the world's growing population” ( p 1.). In addition, GM science has made improvements towards developing crops that mature earlier and tolerate drought, frost, and other …show more content…

Opinon leaders have awareness about a specific innovation which is fundamental to decision making process and its ultimate adoption (Rogers, 2003). Opinion leaders tend to be influential in convincing others within their cultural to assume specific opinions and behaviors (Keller & Berry, 2003). From this process information is distribute to like minded indivuals that are living in a social norm. By identifying and using opinion leaders, extension educators may be able to sway individuals who have influence on others’ opinions, thereby moving up the adoption of new practices (Rogers, 2003). According to Rogers (2003), Opinion leadership is “ the degree to which an individual is able to influence informally other individuals attitudes or overt behavior in a desired way with relative frequency” (p.362). Opninion leadership can also allow individuals to diffuse information and influence others be (Shoham &Ruvio, 2008). Opinion leaders are those individuals who have an above average reach (Havenga, 1974).Opinion leaders are unofficial leaders with the ability to influence other’s decisions regarding the adoption of new products, practices, or ideas (Keller & Berry,