DELAYS IN APPROVING GMO COST KENYAN FARMERS OVER USD 150 MILLION

 KENYAN  FARMERS  MISSED OUT  OVER USD 150 MILLION REVENUE DUE TO DELAYS IN APPROVING GMO CROPS

 

By Alfonso Kasongo

A study has revealed that Kenyan  farmers incurred a fiscal loss amounting to estimated USD 157 million in 5  years as a result of the delays in the approval of genetically modified cotton, maize, and late blight disease- resistant potato,when the crops have the potential to generate USD 467 million in benefits over 30 years for the country .

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The  Alliance for Science launched a groundbreaking report  ,dubbed Genetically Modified Crops in Kenya: The Cost of Regulatory Delay, offers a critical analysis of the economic opportunities lost due to delayed adoption of GM technology in the Eastern African Nation.

The study quantifies the economic damage triggered by the anti-GMO movement as well as delays in the approval and commercialization of genetically modified crops in the Eastern African nation.

Further the report highlights some serious consequences of such delays on food security, poverty alleviation, and environmental sustainability, which are key areas of concern for the country.

“ Our simulation of benefits starts with the beginning of research and development of each GM crop variety and continues through commercial adoption—the exact years vary between crops due to their different development timelines. We estimate that all together, five years of delay in approval of Bt cotton, Bt maize, and late blight disease-resistant potato may have cost Kenyan farmers and consumers 157 million USD”

Though Bt cotton has been commercialised in Kenya, the approval and commercialisation processes for both Bt cotton and Bt maize have continued facing significant delays due to a ten-year ban on the importation of GM crops  from 2012–2022 and subsequent court cases challenging the lifting of the ban.”

“ Though the ban was specifically on importation of GM crops, it was interpreted as a ban on commercialisation of GM crops within the country as well. These delays have had notable economic repercussions and have hindered progress in agricultural innovation,” the report states.

And Milliam MURIGI reports: Lauched during the 10th OFAB Media Awards Africa in Malawi,

Dr Emma Kovak from the  Breaking Institute, who is the report’s lead author, emphasized the significance of these findings during the launch. She highlighted the urgent need for evidence-based decision-making in biotechnology to address pressing agricultural challenges.

“This report aims to provide a clear understanding of the costs associated with delays in adopting GM crops. These costs are not just monetary but extend to missed opportunities for improving farmers’ livelihoods, enhancing food security, and mitigating environmental degradation,” she said.

Kenya has long grappled with food security challenges, exacerbated by climate change, pests, and diseases. The introduction of GM crops such as  Bt  cotton ,Bt maize, and late blight-resistant potatoes was anticipated to offer sustainable solutions. However, the delayed approval and commercialization of these crops have hindered the country’s progress.

Speaking during the launch, Vitumbiko Chinoko, Project Manager of the Open Forum on Agriculture and Technology (OFAB) said that delay in the commercialization of Bt cotton has resulted in farmers missing out on potential income increases and cost savings on pesticide expenditures because the crop is engineered to resist bollworms —the most destructive pest in cotton farming.

This is the same case with Bt maize because the crop is modified to resist major destructive pests such as fall armyworm and stem borer.

For Late Blight-Resistant Potatoes, Chinoko said that the delay has continued to burden farmers with high production costs and lower yields. If the block is lifted the benefits over 30 years of GM potato would accrue to 247 million dollars, nearly a quarter of a billion dollars in value to the country.

“When we started to work on this report, we understood there was a cost associated with the delays in decision-making on biotechnology. However, we needed concrete data to convince those who rely solely on numbers,” said Chinoko.

“Now that we have this data, the report becomes a crucial tool to support our advocacy, inform our engagements, and potentially guide policymakers toward adopting a different approach.”

According to Dr Sheila Ochugboju, the Executive Director of the Alliance for Science, the initiative to develop the report began last year in partnership with other organizations. The organizations sought to quantify the economic impact of delays in approving GM crops in Kenya to provide concrete evidence for policymakers, stakeholders, and the general public.

“We recognized the need for credible data to back our advocacy efforts and counter the misinformation surrounding biotechnology. This report is a culmination of rigorous research and analysis, aiming to demonstrate the tangible costs of inaction and the missed opportunities for Kenyan farmers and consumers,” Dr Ochugboju stated.

Dr Kovak said that these findings serve as a wake-up call for other countries facing similar struggles in commercializing GM crops, adding that they plan to replicate the study in these nations to demonstrate the economic and social consequences of inaction.

According to her, there is a need for urgent action to overcome regulatory hurdles, counter misinformation, and unlock the transformative potential of biotechnology. By doing so, Kenya can take a significant step toward achieving food security, reducing poverty, and promoting environmental sustainability.