Official: Adopt biotechnology to keep farm diseases at bay
The government has been asked to bail out thousands of farmers whose maize crop has been wiped out by lethal disease by embracing biotechnology. PHOTO | FILE |
What you need to know:
- The conference attracted more than 150 journalists from Africa and Europe.
The government can bail out thousands of farmers whose maize crop has been wiped out by lethal disease by embracing biotechnology, an official of a multinational agrochemical and agriculture biotechnology has said.
Speaking at the second African Conference of Science Journalists at a Nairobi hotel last week, Ms Betty Kiplagat said biotechnology has been proven to be the most effective tool for improving food security in Africa.
The conference attracted more than 150 journalists from Africa and Europe.
“Farmers of this country need choice as we wait for functioning biosafety regime that will pave way for adoption of genetically modified technology in Kenya,” said Ms Kiplagat who is regional head of Corporate Communication of American-based firm Monsanto.
She said if Kenya embraced biotechnology small holder farmers would reap maximum benefits.
“Our approach at Monsanto is to use biotechnology as a tool to deliver increased sustainability through issuing disease resistance seeds, insect protection, drought management in a bid to help smallholder farmers maximise profits,” said Ms Kiplagat.
