GMO Debate – let us use the opportunity to increase agricultural productivity for Kenya

The ongoing debate on the Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) should be juxtaposed with the need to undertake increase agricultural productivity. GMO’s may not be a threat as many have opined, but it requires some levels of public sensitization, education, modification of habits and honesty of those that deal with the products. Honesty is needed such that traders do not mix GMO and other products and to ensure that the products are properly differentiated and labelled so that consumers make their own decisions and choices as to whether they need to go GMO or other traditional products.

Eight key means can be used to increase our agricultural productivity. First, there is need to increase the area under irrigation in Kenya to increase crop production, by making such irrigation schemes like Mwea, Bura, Ahero and others to be run effectively. This is because rain fed agriculture will continue to face challenges as a result of climate change and global warming. Secondly, transportation facilities should be constructed in the farming areas to allow for efficient movement of farm inputs and also outputs to the markets. It doesn’t mean that all areas in Kenya have inadequate food at the same time, but food is unable to be moved effectively because of poor road infrastructure in such farming areas. Thirdly, there is need for institutionalized credit facilities and therefore Agricultural Finance Corporation (AFC) should be well financed and funded so that it can lend to farmers at lower interest rates for them to increase their farming activities and outputs. Fourthly, there is need for increased research and innovation to develop high yielding inputs, seeds and technologies such that farmers can receive the required inputs at the right time and place for the effective production.

Fifth, is effective and strategic marketing of the agricultural produce, including public sensitization on the utilization of the export market, and establishment of crop price policies. Farmers should be able to sell their produce at reasonable prices that enable them to recoup their investments and make a profit for continuous production. Sixth, agricultural land reforms to secure land for agriculture should be sustained. Seventh, encourage cooperative and contract farming and eighth, develop the cottage and small industries to utilize the agricultural produce and hence commercialize farming to attract more Kenyans.