EXTRACTS: Prof James Ochanda of the University of Nairobi admitted that what was missing was public education to clear doubts in people's minds about the impact of genetically modified products in addressing food shortages in the country.

Teaching on genetically modified crop production technology should be made part of the education curriculum to help... inform the debate on the viability of the technology in addressing food security in Kenya. The proposal was part of resolutions [at] a biosafety workshop in Kisumu sponsored by the United States Agency for International Development 

Prof Collins Ouma, who is the Director of Public Health and Community Development at Maseno University, said [...] "The genetically modified technology is all about fast maturity period, resistance to pests and diseases and drought tolerance. Farmers will spend less to produce high quality crops as compared to cultivating them under the traditional ways."
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Teach about GMO in schools, say educators
DENNIS ODUNGA This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
The Nation (Kenya), February 4    2012
http://www.nation.co.ke/business/news/Teach+about+GMO+in+schools+say+educators+/-/1006/1320316/-/pigt9d/-/

[image caption: Farmers protest against genetically modified crops in Nairobi in the past. Educators say introducing Kenyans to the technology at a later stage in life to blame for widespread misconception.]

Summary: Don says there is no public education to clear doubts on impact of genetically modified products in tackling food crisis.

Teaching on genetically modified crop production technology should be made part of the education curriculum to help in inform the debate on the viability of the technology in addressing food security in Kenya.

The proposal was part of resolutions arrived at on Friday by participants attending a biosafety workshop in Kisumu sponsored by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID-Kenya) and organised by the University of Nairobi’s Centre of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics in partnership with the ministry of Agriculture.

The participants noted that introducing Kenyans to the technology at a later stage in life is to blame for the limited information people have about the place of genetically modified crops in addressing perennial food shortages.

Kenya Bureau of Standards, National Biosafety Authority (NBA), Kenya Plant Inspectorate Service and Kenya Agricultural Research Institute also participated in the workshop.

Mr Ibrahim Otiende, a teacher at Sianda Secondary School in Kisumu County said Kenyans were still undecided about the safety of genetically modified products. He noted that many teachers still lacked adequate answers to this technology being fronted as a solution to food insecurity, making it impossible for them to enlighten students.

"The Kenya Institute of Education while reviewing the curriculum should consider adding a chapter on genetically modified crops to enable teachers and their students have a clear grasp of this subject in order to help those working in the agricultural sector pass the right message," said Mr Otiende.

Prof James Ochanda of the University of Nairobi admitted that what was missing was public education to clear doubts in people's minds about the impact of genetically modified products in addressing food shortages in the country.

"Yes, information about genetically modified crops is still wanting. The government should strengthen capacity of local institutions to manage surveillance, testing and enforcement of guidelines for genetically modified products coming or being transported through the country,” said Prof Ochanda in Kisumu.

Prof Collins Ouma, who is the Director of Public Health and Community Development at Maseno University, said that besides significantly reducing operational costs, crop production stands to improve through the genetically modified technology.

"The genetically modified technology is all about fast maturity period, resistance to pests and diseases and drought tolerance. Farmers will spend less to produce high quality crops as compared to cultivating them under the traditional ways," said the associate professor of genetics.

Wrong campaign

Prof Ouma said that it was wrong for the opponents of the genetically modified technology to claim that its being pushed to us for ulterior motives, when the same countries they were accusing of using Kenya as Guinea pigs were growing and consuming these crops.

"The US grows genetically modified crops in their greenhouses and feeds on these crops. The issue is reducing the maturity period and the crops ability to fight off pests and diseases," said Prof Ouma.

Ms Cecilia Nzau and Mr Evans Njeru from the NBA said the authority had approved a number of genetically modified products passing through the country, especially relief food destined to various countries that face a food deficit.

However, they disclosed that the authority did not receive any applications from traders who were keen to import genetically modified maize into the country, even though the government had allowed them to do so.