Kenya to begin commercial farming of GM maize by 2023
Karlo has concluded research into the Bt Maize variety and developed suitable seeds for various ecological zones around the country
By George Kaiga
Kenya may introduce commercial farming of Genetically Modified (GM) maize variety by 2023.
This, according to Kenya Agricultural Livestock and Research Organisation (Karlo) director general Eliud Kireger, is part of the strategy to enhance the country’s food security.
Dr Krieger said the research agency has sought approval from the government through the National Biosafety Authority (NBA) before the new maize variety, known as Bt Maize, is formally introduced in the country.
James Karanja, coordinator BT maize technology, at the National Performance Trial field in Kisumu.
NBA regulates research and commercial activities involving Genetically Modified Organisms to ensure safety of human and animal health as well as adequate level of protection of the environment.
Speaking during a media sensitisation forum at Karlo, Kibos in Kisumu, Dr Kireger said National Performance Trials on the new maize varieties have concluded successfully.
He added that the pest-resistant crop will not only help farmers increase yields by reducing damage caused by stem-borer and insect pests but also improve quality of produce.
“The country is losing about 40% of the 42 million bags of maize to stem-borer and other pests and we have to import to make up for the losses,” he said.
Dr Kireger allayed fears that GM foods cause cancer saying many other countries have been using them with no reported harm.
A section of the BT maize trial field at Karlo, Sugar Research Institute in Kisumu.
“The Bt maize has already been approved to work in countries like South Africa, Nigeria and Malawi where the technology has helped them double their maize yields,” he added.
Dr James Karanja, principal researcher of the Tela maize project, said Bt maize has been planted on six different sites in the country that represent target agro-ecological environments to test their performance.
The tests helped the research institute to develop various varieties of seeds to suit the different ecological conditions ranging from low to high altitudes.
Dr Karanja said the country may import the first batch of the Bt maize seeds from South Africa before Kenya Seed Company is allowed to do multiplication of the seeds locally.
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