President Kibaki opens a greenhouse for GM foods

Thursday, June 24, 2004


While opening a biosafety greenhouse complex; the second of its kind in black Africa after South Africa, at our National Agricultural Research Laboratories Center (NARL- Kabete), President Kibaki affirmed that the government strongly supports the use of genetically modified (GM) crops and other modern scientific technologies to boost agriculture.

He said, "We must embrace and apply modern science and technology in farming. Indeed, there is evidence that countries that have embraced modern agricultural technologies have improved economic performance, reduced poverty, and ensured greater food security for their people."

The President said he was fully aware of the ongoing debate on the application of modern biotechnology and its products, particularly Genetically Modified Organisms. The country would apply biotechnology within the existing biosafety structures, national statutes and international obligations, said the Head of State.

The Government and other players had produced comprehensive guidelines for using biotechnology research.

President Kibaki said; "The development of a biotechnology policy is at an advanced stage. Bills to support this policy are being prepared for consideration by Parliament, " he said.

The biosafety greenhouse was built as part of the Insect-Resistant Maize for Africa project, a joint effort by KARI and the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre funded by the Syngenta Foundation for Sustainable Agriculture to the tune of Shs 11.5 billion.
Initiated in 1999, its aim is to develop maize resistant to stem borers by incorporating a gene known as Bt (bacillus thuringiensis) that kills the destructive pests that cause losses of 13-15 percent of Kenya's maize crop, valued at $72 million (Shs 5.7 billion).