New varieties of genetically modified potato and maize which will give a higher yield and are disease-resistant have been developed. The varieties have been developed by scientists at the Kenya Agriculture and Research Institute (Kari). (ref.2005)

Agriculture Minister Bonaya Godana yesterday said the potato and maize were undergoing trials and biosafety measures at various Kari stations.

Dr Godana said the two crops were among the major staple foods widely consumed in Kenya.

He added: "They, therefore, hold significant potential in increasing food security, alleviating poverty and improving the socio-economic welfare of resource-poor farmers in the country."

Kenya, the minister observed, was among the few countries in Africa which had embraced genetic engineering - the most advanced generation of biotechnology.

"The initiative is a collaborative partnership between the government, donors, private technology companies and international agricultural agencies," he said.

Dr Godana was opening the national workshop on "Kenya and the Global Genetic Revolution: Towards a Systemic Biosafety Regime" at a Nairobi hotel.

The one-day workshop, co-organised by the African Centre for Technology Studies and Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, assembled researchers from various local and international research institutions and universities.

JKUAT Vice-Chancellor Prof Ratemo Michieka said his university was recently awarded a Unesco chair in biotechnology for its success in establishing a banana tissue culture pilot commercial laboratory.

"Through this chair, the institute will get support for the establishment of a molecular biology laboratory which will assist in the establishment of genetic engineering," he said.

An economist, Dr De Groote Hugo, described the stem borer insect as one of the most serious problems facing maize farmers. The pest destroys about 14 per cent of the maize crop under plantation resulting in a $85 million loss annually.

Dr Godana said the area under genetically modified crops globally had increased from 2 million hectares in 1996 to 44.2 million hectares in 2001.

He added: "This attests to the increasing popularity and massive adoption of the technology. However, it should be noted that this development has also generated a lot of debate and controversy especially on genetically modified organisms."

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