Kenya’s Cabinet on Thursday approved open growing of genetically modified cotton (Bt cotton).
The cabinet said in a statement issued in Nairobi that the commercial farming of Bt cotton is set to ensure farmers earn more from the crop through increased production.
The Cabinet which met in Nairobi under the chairmanship of President Uhuru Kenyatta also said the farming will also boost the manufacturing pillar of the development plan, the Big 4 Agenda where Kenya seeks to establish itself as a regional leader in textile and apparel production.
In December 2018, Kenyatta instructed key government ministries to identify modalities of reviving the cotton sub sector that had collapsed.
Researchers at the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO) had previously conducted confined filed trials, National Performance Trials and open field trials in different parts of the country.
According to Charles Waturu, principal investigator of Bt cotton, the variety produces four times more than the standard one.
Waturu told Xinhua in a recent interview that one of the key benefits of the cotton variety is that farmers now have a strong option in fighting pests that forced some of them to abandon its growing.
“Bt cotton is resistant to pests, diseases and has the ability to withstand drought and also produce superior quality cotton,” he added.
He said that with the adoption of Bt cotton, Kenya’s cotton production is expected to increase to some 260,000 bales up from 20,000 bales that is realized currently every year.
Cotton production in Kenya had almost collapsed as people living in its dominant growing areas also dropped its growing for other crops such as sugarcane.
Bt cotton is expected to help Kenya revive the collapsed textile industry and contribute to its sustainability.
Over the years, Kenya has resorted to importing cotton fabrics from Asian countries since farmers abandoned the crop due to its low pay.
Cotton is grown in western Kenya, coastal region, Rift Valley, eastern Kenya and parts of central Kenya. Enditem
