Kenya lifted its ban on Genetically Modified Crops in the country as part of efforts to address ravaging drought in the region.
This means farmers will now be allowed to cultivate and import food crops and animal feeds produced through biotechnology innovations.
The decision was made during a cabinet meeting today, October 3, chaired by President William Ruto.
The move vacates the decision made on November 8, 2012 prohibiting the same.
The decision, according to dispatch from the Cabinet was reached in accordance with the recommendation of the Task Force to Review Matters Relating to Genetically Modified Foods and Food Safety, and in fidelity with the guidelines of the National Biosafety Authority on all applicable international treaties including the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety (CPB).
“Cabinet vacated its earlier decision of 8th November, 2012 prohibiting the open cultivation of genetically modified crops and the importation of food crops and animal feeds produced through biotechnology innovations; effectively lifting the ban on Genetically Modified Crops. By dint of the executive action open cultivation and importation of White (GMO) Maize is now authorized.”
“As part of the medium to long term responses to the ongoing drought, and as a progressive step towards significantly redefining agriculture in Kenya by adopting crops that are resistant to pests and disease,” read part of the dispatch.
The country is experiencing drought in almost half of the 47 counties which threatens the stability at large. Thousands of livestock have died and others are starving in the drought spreading fast.
The Monday meeting also considered various expert and technical reports on adoption of biotechnology; including reports of the Kenya’s National Biosafety Authority (NBA), World Health Organization (WHO), the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), United States of America’s Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) in making the decision.
The cabinet meeting was convened to consider the progress made in the national response to the ongoing drought situation that has affected 23 counties together with an appraisal of the ongoing humanitarian support and relief food being provided to the families in those areas and the medium-term and long-term strategies being developed to address the food security situation in the country.
According to the dispatch the Cabinet considered a broad array of proposals touching on climate change adaptation, reducing Kenya’s reliance on rain-fed agriculture by increasing irrigation, planting of diverse and drought resistant crops, and the implementation of early warning and response mechanisms that are activated at the very start of adverse situations rather than when the situations have escalated into disaster conditions.
Last week Ruto outlined several interventions the government would implement to ensure no Kenyan dies of starvation.
He said about 3.5 million Kenyans are severely affected by the effects of the ongoing drought which has hit 23 counties.
While flagging off 50 trucks carrying assorted food items to be distributed to drought-hit regions, Ruto said the current situation has been exacerbated by the lack of adequate rains in the country for the last four years.
He, however, pledged that the government would be better prepared going forward as the country grapples with the effects of climate change by coming up with long-term solutions.
“It is my hope that this will be among the last times we are doing this kind of ceremony where Kenyans are facing starvation and we have to do this,” said Ruto.
Further, he said the government was working to ensure Kenya’s agriculture transits from rain-fed to irrigation-based.
He said the government would work with the private sector to come up with a law to create provision for water purchase agreement. This will make it possible for the private sector to sell water to the government as part of a bigger plan in ensuring the country becomes a food-secure nation.
Ruto directed the ministry in charge to ensure water is delivered to the affected parts as well as map out areas that require water bowsers across the country to address the challenge.
He said the government would also mobilise resources for the animal offtake programme by working with the Kenya Meat Commission to purchase weak livestock from pastoralists during drought.
The Council of Governors chairperson Anne Waiguru said the number of people in need of humanitarian assistance is projected to increase to 4.35 million by next month.
She said the worsening household food security situation had resulted in acute malnutrition rates noted across the counties.
She said 942,000 cases of children aged between six and 59 months were acutely malnourished and 134,000 cases of pregnant or lactating women in need of treatment.
