New awareness initiative on biotechnology planned

By Duncan Mboyah


The government and Biotechnology stakeholders are in the process of launching a National Biotechnology Awareness Creation Strategy (BioAware – Kenya) in a bid to achieve the Millennium Development Goals by 2015.

Coming barely 10 months after the publication of the national Biotechnology Policy, the move is seen as away of enhancing a participatory approach to promoting food production in the country.

The awareness strategy targets the mass media, policy makers, industry players, consumer groups, farmers, agricultural extension staffs, schools, colleges and faith based institutions.

“The ministry of agriculture has decided to take biotechnology seriously since it has the potential to achieving the millennium Development goals”, said Dr. Wilson Songa, the Agriculture Secretary.

Addressing a stakeholders meeting in his office, Dr. Songa noted that reliable overwhelming evidence already demonstrates the benefits of Biotechnology globally.

H noted that the technology has the potential to improving food security in the country as it will help the country get out of over depending on food aid on a yearly basis.

Dr. Songa observed that the opportunity will ensure that more than 2.5 million Kenyans that are threatened by food insecurity will be able to access food.

He however lamented that low awareness by the public was to blame for the development and adoption of the technology in the country yet countries that have already adopted are already benefiting.

Current information in Kenya about biotechnology is either distorted or sensational hence creating confusion to the public.

“The awareness campaign will enable the public learn what Genetic Engineering in regard to their health and environment is all about”, he added.

But Dr. Songa assured the public that the government has not allowed Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) into the country.

The existing controversies over biotechnology have caused public anxiety due to conflicting information as most people are unfamiliar with the technology.

Dr. Songa noted that varying perceptions of benefits and risks of biotechnology is currently distorting the role of science and technology in Kenya’s development agenda.

He asked scientists to involve the public and open talk about the perceived risks at the initial stages of any scientific research to help create smooth working relationships.

Dr. Songa added that past studies indicated gaps on consumer awareness as they were not involved in the processes they were the key consumers of the technologies.

“The Days that you use to work in isolation is long gone and you must now learn to bring the public in the picture from the time you start your activities in the laboratory”, he told scientists.

Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (KARI) Director Dr. Ephrahim Mukisira suggested that an annual biotechnology conference be put in place to enable stakeholders look at their achievements as well as explaining key issues to the public.

He noted that the time is ripe for informing the public since most Kenyans already have interest and are only waiting for simple and accurate answers to their questions.

Dr Mukisira at the same time asked scientists to consider starting a Biotechnology journal where information on the technology can be obtained.

Kenya is currently undertaking confined trials on genetically modified maize, cotton, cassava and sweet potatoes. So far the development of insect resistant maize and cotton are in advance stage.

The Director of Consumer Network Mt. Charles Ochieng commended the move adding that all that consumers need is the truth and not biotechnology promotional campaigns.

The biosafety bill that will allow open field growing of genetically engineered crops is due for debate in parliament.

So far meeting the Millennium Development Goals is a tall order for many developing countries unless modern agricultural technologies in including biotechnology are embraced. End