President Uhuru Kenyatta [of Kenya] is betting
on mass production of genetically modified cotton to create 50,000 jobs and
generate Sh20 billion [$195.6 million USD] in apparel export earnings this year
as part of his final term economic revival plan.The plan, which includes policy
review and crafting of new incentive schemes, is also expected to generate
10,000 jobs in the apparel sector.
In a draft Budgetary Policy Statement (BPS) seen by the Business Daily,
Treasury secretary Henry Rotich says the plan will start with the training of
50,000 youth and women to engage in biotechnology (BT) cotton production.By the end of 2018, the State expects to
have expanded acreage under cotton to 200,000 hectares, up from 29,000
currently.BT cotton is resistant to drought and pests. While genetically
modified plants are generally banned in Kenya, the National Biosafety Authority
gave a nod to open field trials of BT cotton last year.
The fact that the
government is banking on it to rev up manufacturing sector implies the State
may soon approve its open cultivation.Underperformance of the cotton industry
has exposed Kenya to the volatility of the international market as it has to
import nearly every textile product for consumption and export generation,
official data indicates.
Source: Standard Digital, Kenya Saturday, 27 January 2018