Biotech Updates

Kenya Begins Trials for GM Maize

April 30, 2009

Kenya's Agricultural Research Institute (KARI) is conducting field trials of insect-resistant transgenic maize varieties. The GM maize varieties are resistant to four stem borer species and the fall armyworm (Helicoverpa armigera), insect pests that cause Kenya to lose some 400,000 tons of maize annually. Joel Mutisya, researcher at KARI, said that the maize will only be released after safety evaluation by the government. The lines will also be crossed with locally adapted maize varieties to boost its hardiness and adaptation to Kenyan growing conditions.

Read more at http://biotechkenya.com/site/crops/kari-adopts-bt-maize