Hope for farmers in GMO cotton deal

Experiments in laboratories and greenhouses are set up in with the intention of protecting the health and safety of personnel conducting them.

The process of commercialising bio-tech crops kicked off in Kenya in earnest following the approval of the Bio-safety Act  in February last year.

The act lays down legal and institutional frameworks for governing modern biotechnology.

The law was developed to ensure that the country maximises benefits of biotechnology while safeguarding against potential risks.

“The other regulations revolve around environmental concerns. It will be applicable when Kenya is in a position to release the products into the environment,” Dr M’mboyi said.

In addition, export, import and transit of GMO products is to be subjected to the regulations.

Regulatory mechanisms must also be put in place to promote the use of bio-tech products while at the same time mitigating any potential risks.

Kenya is carrying out laboratory and field trials on crops such as cotton, maize, sweet potatoes, cassava and sorghum.