KEEP FARMERS OUT OF GMO POLITICS LOBBY GROUP SAYS
- Dec 8, 2022
- 2 min read
By Clive Ayuko
Nairobi, Kenya 8th December 2022
A group of 60 smallholder farmers under the umbrella Biotech Farmers of Kenya SOBIFAK has urged the government to move with speed and address the misinformation and negative perceptions around Genetically Modified Organisms GMO.
Speaking at a Nairobi hotel early today morning the group lauded the decision by Government of William Ruto to Lift the ban on Genetically modified Organisms arguing that lifting of the ban will lead to increased yields compared to yields derived from indeginous seeds. The high court has since issued conservatory orders barring the importation and distribution of genetically modified organisms GMOs.
The ban on GMOs was imposed during the reign former late President Mwai Kibaki in 2012, and lasting throughout to the end of the term of retired president Uhuru Kenyatta with the incoming regime of William Samoe Ruto lifting the ban through a ministerial directive. The High Court in Kenya has since the lifting of the ban temporarily suspended the government’s plan to allow importation and distribution of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) pending determination of a lawsuit against the lifting of the ban following lawsuits filed by Kenyan Peasants League, a small scale farmer association who have cited lack of public participation in the lifting of the ban and a suit filed by lawyer Paul Mwangi.
Of concern is introduction of crops developed through genetic use restriction technology (GURT), which is a technology involving the insertion of what is known as a “terminator gene” into seeds so that upon germination, the seeds ‘commit suicide’ and are therefore unable to pass any life after their harvest. This it has been argued has the impact of forcing disappearance of indigenous seeds and leaving farmers at the mercy of Genetically modified seed manufacturers.
In conclusion the group urged politicians to keep farmers out of GMO politics, demanded of the government to provide them with BT-maize to address the problem of low production and revamping of Agricultural extension services to teach farmers on the best farming practices.
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