GMO Cassava Approved for Farming In Kenya

Genetically Modified (GMO) cassava has been released for open cultivation in Kenya after 5 years of in-depth research.

The National Biosafety Authority (NBA) has paved way for open-field farming and commercialization of cassava with the next crop in line being GMO maize.

NBA, complying with the country’s Biosafety Act, approved the application to reverse the 2012 ban to enable the government to embrace technology to address food insecurity.

The decision comes after putting into account factors like food, feeds, and environmental safety.

” The decision was arrived at in consideration of the socio-economic issue. The review process also factored public comments for 30 days,” said NBA’s CEO, Darington Ogoyi.

Kenya Agricultural Livestock & Research Organisation (Kalro) has confirmed that the research was taken to develop this variety makes it resistant to the brown streak disease, a common disease that has subjected farmers to total losses.

This approval will make it possible to conduct more national performance trials of these varieties before registration and release to farmers should the crops regulator ascertain that it meets all the standards reqi by scientists.

Cassava is the first food crop to be approved following, GMO cotton planting which has been in progress since 2019.

The approved cassava was evaluated for five years in confined field trials in Mtwapa, Kandara, and Alupe.

Philly Opere.