Genetically modified maize will double productivity while reducing costs of fertilizer by eliminating the infestation of the stem borer.
Scientists from the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organisation say the water efficient BT maize has the potential to yield 3.7 tonnes of per hectare.
Kenya produces an average of 1.6 tonnes per hectare compared to the global average of five tonnes on a similar parcel of land.
The technology is also capable of controlling stem borer that is a threat to the cereal’s production and could save Kenya up to Sh7.4 billion every year.
STOP THE PESTS
Scientists say the maize trials results have shown that it can stop the pests that are blamed for declining yields by up to 400,000 tonnes annually, the same amount of maize Kenya imports during shortages every year.
Industrialisation Permanent Secretary Wilson Songa said Kenya could be self-sufficient if it contained the loss occasioned by the pest.
It will, however, take 18 months after the country lifts the ban on genetically modified organisms for farmers to buy the variety.
If that comes to pass, Kenya could become the second country on the continent after South Africa to release the maize type for use by local producers.
DECLINE IN PRODUCTIVITY
South Africa realised a net increase in national maize yield of 9.5 per cent, an amount that is equivalent to $213 million in 2012 after it introduced the variety.
Other countries such as Brazil, Argentina, Canada, Spain and Portugal cultivate the grain type.
Kenya has been witnessing a decline in productivity in the last three years against a growing population.
In 2013, the country produced 31.6 million bags down from 38.9 million bags in 2012.
This was a drop from the 39.7 million bags produced in 2011 against a target of 40 million by the Ministry of Agriculture.
“Although maize is our most important food crop, it is unfortunate the production levels are way below average, we must challenge our research institutions,” said Mr Songa.
He said the country had been held back by refusal to adopt the GMO technology in food production yet it had embraced medicines developed through the same means.
WATER EFFICIENT MAIZE
He said biotechnology would be central to improving productivity noting that the government is keen on seeing through approval for water efficient maize.
Mr Songa urged scientists to come out boldly, defend the technology and use the momentum to move the agenda.
African Agricultural Technology Foundation and the Kenya Agricultural & Livestock Research Organisation have applied to have the engineered maize released to farmers.
National Biosafety Authority, on the other hand, has been receiving comments from the public on whether they should approve the maize and expect to conclude the process in the next two months.
“We are closing public comment period on August 23 then we will receive reviews from independent experts. We are also doing risk assessment internally after which we will be able to finalise the process,” authority chief executive Willy Tonui said last week.
