Two organisations apply for licence to plant GMO maize
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 Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organisation (Kalro) and the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF) have applied for a licence to plant genetically modified (GM) maize in Kenya.
The National Biosafety Authority (NBA), in a Gazette Notice on Friday, invited the public to give input on the application by the two firms to openly cultivate Bt maize.
If NBA approves the application, it will make Kalro and AATF the first two organisations to grow maize in the open in Kenya in at least 10 years.
Kalro is a parastatal established under the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Act, 2013 with a mandate to spearhead research in crops, livestock, genetic resources, and biotechnology in the country.
AATF, on the other hand, is a Pan-African non-profit established in 2003, that supports smallholder farmers with technology solutions.
The organisation says it has been backed by the African Development Bank (AfDB), Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Syngenta Foundation, among others.
Should the two organisations get their wish, they will be able to farm and sell GM maize in the open market in Kenya for the first time.
President William Ruto is a major supporter of GMO foods, which he has stated are key to addressing the country’s food shortages.
So far, planting GMOs in Kenya has been restricted to non-food crops, particularly Bt cotton. The NBA, however, recently approved field trials for a number of GM food crops.
NBA says that the Bt maize has been developed using modern biotechnology methods to protect itself against specific pests such as the maize stem borers and fall armyworms, which are devastating pests in maize fields.
As a result, farmers can expect less damage to their maize crop, which may lead to increased harvests and better-quality grains, said the parastatal. It further added that this could also lower production costs and reduce risks to health and the environment by using fewer insecticides used for pest management.
“In line with Kenya’s Biosafety Act of 2009, NBA is currently assessing this Bt maize to ensure it is safe for human and animal consumption, as well as being safe to our environment,” said NBA acting Chief Executive Nehemiah Ng’etich.
He added: “The assessment involves working with other government agencies and focused on ensuring the safety of the Bt maize, while comparing the safety parameters of currently cultivated maize varieties.”
Maize is Kenya’s most consumed food product, and has been identified as key to boosting the country’s food security. But local production of maize has suffered in recent years, forcing the country to rely on imports to meet demand.
Drought has been the biggest challenge for maize farmers but pests and diseases have also affected production of the staple. GM maize has been identified as a possible solution to some of these issues, particularly eradicating pests and diseases.
Former President Mwai Kibaki banned the importation and cultivation of GMOs in Kenya in 2012. The ban lasted for 10 years before it was lifted by the Cabinet in October 2022.
However, a barrage of court cases against the return of GMOs derailed the implementation of the Cabinet resolution. However, the High Court last month dismissed the petitions, allowing the ban on GMOs to be lifted.
