Agency rolls out GMO crops’ trials across the country after court nod
The Cabinet lifted the ban on GMOs in October 2022. While lifting the ban, the government said the move would address the high cost of food in the country.
The National Biosafety Authority (NBA) has approved several genetically modified organisms (GMOs) crops for confined field trials across the country, taking Kenya a step closer to commercial production of GMO foods.
A field trial is a process through which crops are grown in a controlled environment, to study their performance before they are approved for commercial cultivation.
The commencement of the field trials comes just days after the High Court dismissed several petitions, that were challenging the decision by the Cabinet to lift the ban on GMOs that had lasted for 10 years.
This essentially means that Kenyans are free to cultivate and import GMO crops and foods.
While appearing before the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Livestock Development in Mombasa, NBA acting Chief Executive Officer Nehemiah Ngetich said that the field trials have been spread across all regions in the Country.
The field trials are Improved Maize for African Soils) in Kitale, Virus Resistant Sweet potato in Kakamega, Virus Resistant Cassava) and BioCassava Plus (BC+) at Alupe in Busia County, GM potato at Kalro (Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organisation) in Nakuru, Purple Gypsophilla flower in Naivasha and GM Potato at Muguga in Kiambu County.
Others are Bt Cotton which has since been completed in Mwea, Kirinyanga County, Virus Resistant Cassava in Thika, GM potato in Njambini Nakuru County, Virus Resistant Cassava in Kilifi County, Water Efficient Maize for Africa and African Biofortified Sorghum in Kiboko Makueni County.
“The Authority has already approved the commercialisation of Bt Cotton, which has been in cultivation since 2020 and no adverse effects have been noted or reported through the Authority’s monitoring and surveillance system. Other crops such as Bt maize and virus-resistant cassava are at advanced stages of variety testing towards their commercialisation,” said Mr Ngetich.
The NBA boss assured Kenyans that there is a well-established legal, regulatory and institutional framework which provides for streamlined processes for persons dealing in GMOs and their derived products in the Country.
Mr Ngetich said the framework outlines specific application requirements, safety assessment procedures and monitoring mechanisms which align to Kenya’s commitment to food safety, environmental protection and the socio-economic wellbeing of its citizens.
The Cabinet lifted the ban on GMOs in October 2022. While lifting the ban, the government said the move would address the high cost of food in the country.
A number of cases by numerous interest groups were filed in court against the Cabinet’s decision, delaying its implementation by two years.
Proponents of GMO foods insist that they are key to eradicating hunger as the crops produce more foods and are more resistant to pests and diseases. Opponents of GMOs on the other hand raise concerns about their safety.
