Adoption of the genetically modified (GM) cotton, commonly known as Bt Cotton, could result in a three-fold increase in cotton production in Kenya, the Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) has said in its latest bulletin for the second quarter. The growing of GM cotton has the potential to create up to 600,000 jobs in cotton value-chain, the AFA said.Kenya must set up a farm-to-factory supply chain for domestically grown cotton while discouraging import of fabric and clothing items, AFA said.
Currently, field trials are being conducted for GM cotton, before the government gives nod for commercialisation. The field trials are necessary to develop region-specific seeds, which can later be made available to farmers.
In addition to advocating adoption of GM cotton, AFA has suggested imparting training to 50,000 youth and women so they can get employment in textile and garment units. Such measures would increase the country’s revenue from textile industry to Sh200 billion by 2022 from the current Sh35 billion, AFA said.
Source: The Indian Express, India Tuesday, 05 June 2018