| Kenya has begun a countdown to
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| | the moment, will help in the short run.
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| commercializing genetically modified
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| | But long-term measures need to be
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| maize(corn). Scientists at the Kenya
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| | explored.The development of seeds with
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| Agricultural Research Institute (KARI),
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| | tolerance to drought and low soil
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| International Maize and Wheat Improvement
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| | fertility through modern biotechnology
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| Centre (CIMMYT) and Insect Resistant
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| | could benefit Niger and other countries
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| Maize for Africa (IRMA) have already
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| | in similar situations.Maize varieties
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| developed a new maize seed, resistant to
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| | with improved nutritional content will be
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| the stem borer. Stem borer destroys
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| | a boon to malnourished children who
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| 400,000 tonnes of Maize in Kenya, alone.
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| | strand the African continent.It is worth
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| In Sub-Saharan Africa, chronic cases of
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| | noting that the development of maize seed
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| stem borer infestation account for 10-70
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| | resistant to pests such as stem borer not
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| per cent of yield losses. This has had
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| | only heralds a new chapter in Kenya but
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| devastating effects on Africa's efforts
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| | Africa as a whole. Other African
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| to feed its ever soaring population.
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| | countries should now borrow a leaf from
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| Maize is the primary staple food and an
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| | these two countries. They should swim by
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| occasional cash crop in many parts of
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| | the waves rest they continue to be
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| Africa.The first case of stem borer was
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| | perpetual beneficiaries of relief
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| discovered in Malawi in 1932. Since then,
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| | food.Kenyan scientists have demonstrated
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| a raft of methods, pointedly, biological
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| | determination to seek homegrown solutions
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| control, habitat management and use of
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| | to Africa's food problems. It would be
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| natural pesticides, have been used to
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| | interesting to hear the views of critics
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| deal with the stem borer menace.
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| | of modern biotechnology about this latest
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| Unfortunately, very little has been
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| | development.In the past, they have
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| achieved. Bounty yields, a common
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| | accused rich countries of foisting novel
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| occurrence in countries such as US,
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| | technologies such as biotechnology on
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| Canada, Argentina, India and China, which
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| | "hapless" Africa, in total disregard of
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| have embraced biotechnology, have not
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| | their environmental impact or health
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| been forthcoming. For instance, Niger,
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| | complications associated with consumption
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| one of the poorest countries in Africa is
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| | of genetically modified food.The jury is
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| currently facing acute food shortage due
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| | now out. To quote Dr Stephen Mugo, a
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| to crop failure and drought. About 3.6
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| | plant breeder with CIMMYT, "The converted
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| million people are on the verge of death
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| | seeds have been studied, multiplied and
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| due to hunger. Horrifying is news that
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| | tested in laboratories and greenhouse
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| 800,000 children are chronically
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| | conditions."James Wachai is a
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| malnourished.Niger is a semi-desert
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| | communication specialist who uses his
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| country where lack of rain can result to
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| | expertise to increase public
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| massive crop failures. This situation and
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| | understanding of science and technology,
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| others in Africa can be avoided. Dishing
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| | specifically biotechnology.
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| emergency food aid, as is happening at
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|
