Kenya, others to release genetically modified cassava to farmers

By Bisola Adeyemo

After years of research, Kenya and other African countries are set to release globally a genetically modified cassava for disease resistant to improved farm productivity.

Eliud Kireger, Director General, Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO) said research on improved cassava variety has recorded breakthroughs as the crop is now one step closer to commercialization.

According to Kireger, Xinhua news reports that the VIRCA Plus project has already successfully developed cassava with robust and durable resistance to the brown streak disease.

His word “This cassava has been validated over multiple cropping cycles in several locations in the agro-ecological zones in Kenya,” Kireger stated this during a field visit in the coastal city of Mombasa.

He said that the project recorded a milestone when the National Biosafety Authority (NBA) in June granted approval for environmental release of the disease-resistant cassava, signalling that the developed cassava can now transition to National Performance Trials (NPTs).

“In arriving at the decision to approve the cassava for environmental release, NBA conducted a rigorous and thorough review, taking into account food, feed, and environmental safety assessment as well as consideration of socio-economic issues,” said Kireger.

Some of the stakeholders are currently engaged in making arrangements for large scale seed multiplication and distribution to cassava growing farmers.

Aside using cassava as human food and animal feed, it can also be used in making paper bags, sanitizers and flour, Juma Mohamed, head of root and tuber crops in the Ministry of Agriculture said

He added that as a climate smart crop, cassava can survive better during drought periods.

Cassava is rich in carbohydrates, calcium, vitamins B and C, and essential minerals and is cultivated in around 40 African countries.