Details of South African Pest Resistant GMO Maize Seeds Ruto is Importing

Image of GMO maize corn
Image of GMO maize corn
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Business Insider

Through the National Biosafety Authority (NBA), the government ordered 11,000 tonnes of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) maize seeds that will arrive in the country on January 23.

The authority ordered GMO seeds which are not affected by pests that attack other maize seeds. 

Bt seeds are given genetic traits to provide protection from pests, tolerance to pesticides, or improve their quality.

A resident from Makueni carrying donated improved seeds from Kilili, Makueni County on November 18, 2022
A resident from Makueni carrying donated improved seeds from Kilili, Makueni County on November 18, 2022
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Mutula Kilonzo

Its components are genetically altered to include protein poisonous to the pests. The proteins are derived from the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis thus the name Bt maize. 

Some of the pests Bt maize is resistant to are the destructive maize stalk borer and armyworms. 

Apart from resistance to pests, the seeds are cost-saving as farmers do not incur the expenses of purchasing pesticides. 

The National Biosafety Authority (NBA) projected that production will increase by 12 per cent, which will help towards attaining food security.

It also allayed fears that the new GMO seeds are not fit for human consumption.

“The Bt maize has been approved for use in this country. As an authority, we are satisfied that it is safe for cultivation and consumption, both for people and the environment,” NBA clarified through a statement on Tuesday, November 22.

Other seeds that use Bt genetic altering include potatoes and soybeans.

The government has not given indication that it will import GMO potatoes and soybeans.

Farmers were urged to familiarise themselves with the Biosafety Act of 2009, which stipulates the handling, transfer and use of genetically modified organisms.

A maize farm in Cherangani in Kitale in April 2020.
A maize farm in Cherangani in Kitale in April 2020.
Joseph Kariuki
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