This archive report was first published on 19 December 2019.
On December 19, 2019, the Kenyan Cabinet, chaired by President Uhuru Kenyatta, approved the commercial farming of genetically modified (GM) cotton, also known as biotech (BT) cotton.
The decision was made despite an ongoing ban on genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in the country, which has been in place since 2012.
According to State House, the Cabinet approved the commercial farming of BT cotton hybrids following successful completion of field trials conducted over a period of five years.
The approval of GM cotton is expected to increase annual cotton production to 260,000 bales, up from the current level of 28,000 bales.
Field trials on cotton have been ongoing in different parts of the country, with scientists recording positive results from the confined trials that ended this year.
The approval of GM cotton also brings hope for the lifting of the ban on National Performance Trials on maize, which was stopped by the Ministry of Health in 2017.
