The government of Kenya has announced plans to import genetically modified maize as part of its move to ease food shortages caused by the country’s worst drought in 40 years.
Trade and Industry Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria made the announcement and said through a gazette notice the government intends to allow in maize to make Kenya food secure.
Lift of ban
The imports will be the first since President William Ruto lifted a decade-long ban last month on the cultivation and importation of genetically modified crops, which authorities hope will improve crop yields and food security as millions face hunger. Dr Ruto said the government had considered expert opinion from scientists over the suitability and safety of GMOs before lifting the ban
The government is targeting to import 10million bags of maize and it will be duty-free importation over the next six months. Importers will be at liberty to ship in either GMO or non-GMO maize. Agricultural organizations have projected that maize harvest this season could drastically be low due to high fertilizer prices early this year that negatively affected the acreage under the maize crop as well as high consumption of green maize from this year’s crop. Annual rains have failed across Kenya, Ethiopia and Somalia for the last four seasons, forcing 1.5 million people out of their homes in search of water and food elsewhere.
“In view of the food situation in the country, I shall be signing instruments to allow duty free imports of GMO (genetically modified) and non GMO Maize for the next 6 months,” said CS Moses Kuria.
South Africa, Sudan, Malawi, Nigeria, Eswatini, Kenya, Ethiopia and Ghana are populary known to cultivate GMO crops for commercial purposes
