www.czu.cz ; www.raupp.info

A new variety of disease-resistant maize will be introduced in the country
next year. The National Agricultural Research and Laboratories says the
variety is more resistant to the maize stalkborer, which is the main cause
of on-farm losses of maize, December 2004 by Apollo Opondo.

The researchers say checking on the farm losses is one of the ways of
improving food security.

Kenya imports close to 400,000 tonnes of maize each year to meet a national
consumption deficit.

On-farm losses caused by the maize stalkborer run into 6 million shillings
annually or 15 percent of the annual harvest.

The National Agricultural Research and Laboratories Institute has set up a
modern biotechnology greenhouse to research on genetically modified maize.

The research institute is in the process of carrying out tests on
genetically modified maize which have so far proven resistant to 3 out of
the 5 species of the pests.

However at a forum discussing the findings, the government was called upon
to look at the legal question of using genetically modified foods much more
critically if the country is to reap benefits accruing from the research.

[www.kbc.co.ke]

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