Kenya ‘Effectively’ Allows GMO Crop Production and Importing

The east African country suffered from a major drought this year, one of the most severe in decades, with 23 of its 47 counties being hit.

The new Kenyan government headed by President William Ruto announced that it has "effectively" lifted the decade-long ban on genetically modified crops on Monday.

"Open cultivation and importation of White (GMO) Maize is now authorized", the presidency said, as cited by the AP.

At @StateHouseKenya, Nairobi, chaired the Cabinet where, among other issues, approved the cultivation and importation of new maize varieties and lifted the embargo on the commercialisation of Bacillus Thuringiensis (BT) Cotton. pic.twitter.com/R7QCiqNmdS

— William Samoei Ruto, PhD (@WilliamsRuto) October 3, 2022

Authorities discussed "significantly redefining agriculture in Kenya by adopting crops that are resistant to pests and disease" and considered reports on the "adoption of biotechnology," an official statement read.

Kenya's economy is mostly driven by agriculture, which employs roughly 70% of the labor force. Ruto, a former minister of agriculture, reportedly said that he seeks to boost agricultural productivity.

With this decision, Kenya became the first country in the region and fifth on the continent to allow the growing and importation of GMO crops after South Africa, Sudan, Egypt and Burkina Faso.

Genetically modified agriculture is prohibited in many African nations due of worries about potential negative impacts on smallholder farms, current crops, the environment, and people's long-term health.