Agency says GMO maize resistant to fall armyworms, stem borers

Justus Suchi dries maize at Elukaka village in Butere. [File, Standard]

National Biosafety Authority (NBA) has assured farmers in western Kenya that genetically modified (GMO) maize is resistant to fall armyworms.

The state agency said GM maize is also resistant to other pests and diseases that cause farmers to incur huge losses every planting season.

Speaking during a public participation forum at Magharibi Hall in Kakamega on Tuesday, NBA Director of Legal Services Moses Sande, reiterated that BT maize is safe for use.

“The BT Maize is expected to address the challenges of the fall armyworms and maize stem borers, which are the two major pests of maize in Kenya and the region,” said Sande.

He explained that the Authority is mandated to supervise and control the development, transfer, handling, and use of GMOs to ensure the safety of human and animal health as well as the provision of adequate protection to the environment.

Sande said the public participation forum is aimed at educating the public on GMOs and safety assessment procedures.

“Ours is to promote awareness and education among the general public in matters relating to biosafety. The organisation is to ensure all GMO products are safe for use by enlightening farmers since the 2022 ban against GMOs was removed and we are free to use the commodities,” he said.

“Research is being done by Karlro on BT maize which is highly resistant to pests such as fall armyworms and maize stem borers. The maize is fit and if the pests eat it, they die saving the farmer the cost of buying pesticides,” he added.

Sande revealed that before the commercialisation of the BT maize, trials were conducted in, Kakamega, Busia, Machakos, Mombasa, and Trans Nzoia counties.

He said the maize variety is doing well in countries such as the United States of America, Argentina, and South Africa.

“The decision to conduct public engagements is in line with the provisions of the Biosafety Act, 2009 Section 19(4) and Regulation 12(3)(a) of the Biosafety (Environmental Release) Regulations, 2011, which requires the Authority to notify the public on receiving an application for environmental release or open field cultivation and placing on the market of genetically modified products,” he explained.

The application for placement on the market of genetically modified maize (Zea mays) commonly known as BT maize (MON 89034) was made by the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organisation and the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF) last month.