Agriculture nominee Linturi says GMO to plug food deficit

Agriculture and Livestock Cabinet Secretary Nominee Mithika Linturi has said he intends to use the Kenya Seed Company in provision of genetically modified seeds to farmers across the country.

While appearing before the House Business Committee Chaired by National Assembly Speaker Moses Wentang’ula during the Friday vetting, Linturi supported the Cabinet’s October 3, 2022 decision to lift the ban on Genetically Modified Organism (GMO) which had been in place since November 8, 2012.

According to the Agriculture CS-designate, adoption of GMO foods at the moment is practical due to the prevailing drought that has affected crop production across the country.

“If you look at what informed the lift of ban of GMO, it is that problem of lack of food and we will have to make choices Mr Speaker and ask ourselves whether we need to let our people die or adopt GMO,” said Linturi.

He added, “I have not seen anywhere where there has been any scientifically published in any journal where GMO has been said to be harmful to human beings.”

The Cabinet vacated the decade- long ban prohibiting cultivation of genetically modified crops and the importation of food crops and animal feeds produced through biotechnology innovations.

The decision by President Ruto’s administration to allow for cultivation of the crop stems from recommendation of the Task Force to Review Matters Relating to Genetically Modified Foods and Food Safety, and The guidelines of the National Biosafety Authority on all applicable international treaties including the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety (CPB).

Should he be confirmed, Linturi said GMO seeds will be availed to farmers through Kenya Seed Company.

“Kenya Seed Company, Mr Speaker has the mandate to scale up and multiply seeds that are used by our farmers and there will be that opportunity for government to grow and propagate enough seeds for use by farmers,” he said.

Government has been under fire from anti-GMO groups over the decision to allow GMO into the food chain saying policymakers ought to address post-harvest losses and adopt modern farming techniques to boost food production from indigenous crops.

Linturi also said told the committee that he will implement intervention that have been announced by the government to subsidize fertilizer and seeds as a means of addressing the runaway cost of unga where a 2kg pack now cost Ksh 230.

“Price of unga will not come down immediately because unless the government is willing and ready to continue with the subsidy to bring down the cost of unga. This is a matter that will be discussed and once discussions are on we will be alive to the fact that we really have to do something so that our people can eat,” said Linturi.

The longtime politician declared his net worth to be Ksh 1.2 billion.

The post Agriculture nominee Linturi says GMO to plug food deficit appeared first on KBC.

source