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Why you will not get GMO maize in the market soon

Tuesday, November 22nd, 2022 06:40 | By
GMO maize
Genetically engineered (GMO) maize, conceptual image. PHOTO/Internet.

The planned importation of 10 million bags of duty-free Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) maize to mitigate the effects of hunger ravaging the country may take longer, value chain players have warned.

 Maize traders cautioned that various issues need to be ironed out  before the actual importation of the maize.

 East African Grain Council (EAGC) executive director Gerald Masila warned that regulations to allow importation of maize have not yet been put in place and fear by commercial banks to fund importation need to be addressed.

 “Businessmen in the country cannot agree to invest their money in maize importation as various issues are yet to be resolved. Equally, banks also cannot agree to finance the same. Furthermore, it is also not cheap to import the commodity as prices compared to white maize have minimal comparison,” said Masila on phone.  Last month, the Cabinet announced the lifting of a decade-old ban on genetically modified crops. Lawyer Paul Mwangi has filed a petition in court against the government for lifting a ban on GMOs.  

Masila stated that until the case is determined, no businessman can agree to risk their resources in importation of the commodity. “The traders want a clear environment and employment of other mitigation strategies in case of other challenges that may crop up,” he added.

Time frame

Analysts also say it is not clear which ministry between the National Treasury and Trade is supposed to sign the gazette notice to authorise importation of the commodity.

Masila faulted the six month duty free window saying it is short compared to time taken to import maize from various global sources.  

The earliest that a ship can land at Mombasa port either from Mexico or US is 90 days and then almost another month is taken to offload the same. The quantity of maize targeted is huge and equally will take many ships to be delivered to Mombasa.

“It is also not yet clear how imported maize will be labelled thus making it hard for the business people to start importing it. Further, relevant agencies  such as Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service  (Kephis) and Kenya Bureau of Standards  (Kebs)are yet to issue clear guidelines to make it easy for the traders to invest in the trade,” said Masila. 

 National Biosafety Authority (NBA) early this month issued a directive to all individuals, companies and institutions interested in dealing with GM Os to submit their application for approval.  The process to release Bt maize for cultivation to the farmers in the 2023 long rains season now awaits the final stage approval after the NBA sanctioned the release of seeds late October.

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