Wednesday October 5, 2022
Kenyan farmer Bernard Mbithi uproots a field where he was growing maize that failed because of a drought in Kilifi county, Kenya, February 16, 2022. REUTERS/Baz Ratner
Kenya has lifted a ban on genetically modified crops in
response the worst drought to affect the East African region in 40 years, with
authorities hoping it will improve crop yields and food security.
For the last four seasons the annual rains have failed
across Kenya, Ethiopia and Somalia, forcing 1.5 million people to flee their
homes in search of food and water elsewhere. read more
A statement issued by President William Ruto's office after
he chaired a cabinet meeting described lifting the ban as part of responses to
the drought. Cultivation and importation of genetically modified white maize is
now authorised.
"Cabinet vacated its earlier decision of 8th November,
2012 prohibiting the open cultivation of genetically modified crops and the
importation of food crops and animal feeds produced through biotechnology
innovations; effectively lifting the ban on Genetically Modified Crops,"
the statement read.
It said Kenya's cabinet had considered expert and technical
reports on biotechnology, including by United Nations agencies the World Health
Organization and Food and Agriculture Organization, in making its decision.
The cabinet decision comes after one in 2019 to approve the
commercialisation of a genetically enhanced variety of cotton that is resistant
against African bollworm.
(This story has been corrected to show rains have failed in
the last four rainy seasons, not the last four years)
Reporting by Alexander Winning in Johannesburg Editing by
James Macharia Chege