30 days to
submit your comments on genetically-modified cotton trial on nine research
stations in Kenya.
The National Environment Management Authority
on Thursday issued a 30-day deadline for oral or written submission which will
bar or allow Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organisation (Karlo) to
proceed with trials in nine research stations across the country.
Karlo is proposing to undertake national
performance trials for bt-cotton at Mwea, Katumani,Kampi ya Mawe, Bura,
Perkera, Kibos, Alupe, Kerio Valley and Matuga. “We have received Environmental
Impact Assesment Study report for national bt-cotton trials in nine station, we
invite public to submit their comments within one month,” said Nema in
advertisement sponsored by Karlo.
t-cotton is
any variety of cotton, genetically enhanced with Bt-genes to protect it against
caterpillar pests, especially the African bollworm, which is the most
destructive pest in cotton crops. Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) is a beneficial
bacteria that occurs naturally in the soil.
It has been
used commercially for more than 30 years to control vegetable caterpillars
through biochemical insecticides such as Dipel®, Xentari® and Thuricide®.
Kenya has a
potential to produce 260,000 bales of cotton annually but currently, our
production stands at 28,000, as we get about 572kg/hectare against a potential
of 2,500kg/hectare.
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