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