The planned commercialisation will see 400,000 hectares put under the cash crop in Taita Taveta, Kwale, Kilifi, Lamu, Baringo, Elgeyo Marakwet , Isiolo, Garrisa and Tana River counties.
Others lined up for the plan include Kirinyaga, Murang’a, Tharaka Nithi, Meru, Embu, Makueni, Machakos, Kitui, Kisumu, Busia, Migori, Siaya, Homa Bay and Bungoma.
Kenya is only a step away from genetically modified cotton commercialisation after bio tech firm, Bayer East Africa, applied for its release in 24 counties.
In its application to the National Environment Management Authority(Nema), the Nairobi-based company says adopting the high yielding and disease resistant BT Cotton varieties will re-ignite cotton farming and its entire value chain.
“BT Cotton is a variety of cotton that has been genetically engineered to provide resistance to selected insect pests (Lepidoptera) specifically the African bollworm.
Malawi, Nigeria, South Sudan and South Africa have since commercialised BT Cotton farming leading to re-emergence of farmer co-operative societies, new investments in ginneries and textile factories,” said the firm.
The planned commercialisation will see 400,000 hectares put under the cash crop in Taita Taveta, Kwale, Kilifi, Lamu, Baringo, Elgeyo Marakwet , Isiolo, Garrisa and Tana River counties.
Others lined up for the plan include Kirinyaga, Murang’a, Tharaka Nithi, Meru, Embu, Makueni, Machakos, Kitui, Kisumu, Busia, Migori, Siaya, Homa Bay and Bungoma.
Currently, two local varieties known as HART 89M and KSA 81M are grown in 13,000 hectares by 20,000 farmers who harvest about 572 kilogrammes per hectare, against a possible 2,500 kilogrammes per hectare.
Indian agricultural company Mahyco, a pioneer of hybrid and open pollinated seeds will supply BT cotton seeds for the planned nationwide release.
Kenya launched BT Cotton trials in 2001 followed by a series of regional and national field trials that proved its resilience in enhancing cotton production at much lower costs.
“The Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organisation (Kalro) has piloted BT-Cotton and confirmed its efficacy on target cotton pests and its safety on the Kenyan environment. BT-Cotton yields about two to three times more than current conventional varieties thus is expected to play a critical role in reviving the cotton sub-sector upon commercialisation,” adds the study.
Cotton farming has continued a downward trend from 15,700 tonnes sold five years ago to a paltry 3,000 tonnes sold to local processors last year, totalling 25,000 bales against a demand of 200,000 bales that is met via imports.
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