Maize is Kenya’s staple food, yet its annual production consistently falls short of demand, hindered by degraded soils, limited access to improved seeds, and the devastating impact of pests and diseases.

[I]n Kenya, two locally developed Bt maize varieties are poised to address these issues: one is already approved for cultivation, offering protection against the destructive stem borer pest, while the other, with dual protection against stem borer and fall armyworm…

In adopting Bt maize, (1)…the continuous pesticide spray by farmers, which is harmful to health and that of the environment, and associated costs of buying the pesticides [is eliminated]. (2) Food safety is improved when the maize is protected from pests that usually provide an entry point for fungal infection that cause aflatoxin in maize.

We clarify that the two maize varieties awaiting farm deployment in Kenya have been developed locally through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) and the seeds will be controlled through the normal seed regulations pursuant to the existing legal framework in Kenya.

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Before a GMO product is approved for cultivation, it undergoes a series of rigorous tests for safety and assessed for social impact…Embracing safe and profitable technologies will drive millions of farmers to higher productivity.

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