Consumers, Farmers and Lobby Groups Oppose GMO

Farmers’ rights will be violated by the introduction of genetically modified organisms (GMOs), according to consumer and farmer lobbying organisations affiliated with Biba Kenya.

Lyn Mbatia, program officer for Biba, asserted that, as has always been the case, farmers should have the freedom to control the seeds and produce they produce.

According to Mbatia, the introduction of GMOs would result in monopolistic seed suppliers who would control the food chain with just a handful of large multinational seed companies.

She added by pointing out that because GMO seeds are copyrighted, farmers will suffer greatly as a result of the increase in legal disputes arising from patent infringement.

“GMOs threaten the farmers’ seed sovereignty and crawl backs on their rights,” said Mbatia who was speaking during a one-day workshop for farmers and religious leaders in Nakuru.

She said Biba has consumer groups, animal health organisations, grassroots consumer organisations, farmer organisations, and community-based organisations as members.

The alliance encourages conservation agriculture while also assuring food safety, she added.

“Biba has organised a sensitisation forum for religious leaders to learn more about GMOs) food safety, health, seed, and food sovereignty so that they can be part of the advocacy and lobby groups,” she said.

Mbatia noted that influential religious figures play a significant role in society and have the power to affect choices made across a range of contexts.

She claimed that Biba uses agroecology to ensure that the general public is aware of concerns surrounding the environment, health, food safety, and conservation of biodiversity.

“Agroecology ensures that the farming practices that are being done by the farmers are safe for human consumption, the environment,” said Mbatia.

She continued by saying that the majority of the religious leaders in training were also farmers on a personal level.

Mbatia claimed that agroecology increased productivity and helped farmers cultivate crops correctly and effectively, resulting in higher-quality food.

“Biba Kenya also insists that besides the quantity of the food produced, it is also great to have good quality food,” she said

Rev. Samuel Turi of the Turi area of Molo has vowed that he will preach to his congregations and also instruct them on excellent agricultural practises.

He stated that he had learned the distinctions between GMOs and hybrids and that the spread of genetically modified organisms would wipe out regional small-scale seed producers.

Tutu argued that it was improper to make sharing seeds among farmers a crime.