Crop failure in Kenya and other parts of Africa will soon be a thing
of the past following the launch of an ambitious programme to develop a
drought-resistant maize variety.
The project being undertaken by African Agricultural Technology
Foundation will in the long-run help to alleviate hunger and guarantee food
security.

It is estimated that the maize developed over the next 10 years could
increase yields by 20 to 35 per cent under moderate drought, compared to
current varieties.

This increase would translate into about two million additional tonnes
of food during drought years in the participating countries, meaning 14 to
21 million people would have more to eat and sell.

Maize is the most widely grown crop in Africa, and a staple food for
over 300 million people on the continent. It is however severely affected by
frequent drought.

And Africa is a drought-prone continent, making farming risky for
millions of small-scale farmers who rely on rainfall to water their crops.

The first conventional maize varieties could be available after six to
seven years of research and development

The project, Water Efficient Maize for Africa, will include
researchers from both private and public institutions in Kenya, Uganda,
Tanzania and South Africa.

The researchers will use "marker-assisted breeding and biotechnology"
to develop African maize varieties to be provided royalty-free to
small-scale farmers.

The benefits and safety of these maize varieties will be assessed by
national authorities according to the regulatory requirements in each of the
four countries.

Received a boost
The project has already received a boost from the Bill and Melinda
Gates Foundation which has contributed $47 million.

"This project fits into our mandate of bringing to small-holder
farmers in Africa the tools needed to increase productivity for better food
and income security," said Mpoko Bokanga, African Agricultural Technology's
Executive Director.

Mr Bokanga said they will work with the non-profit International Maize
and Wheat Improvement Centre; Monsanto, a private agricultural company; and
the national agricultural research systems in the participating countries.

Uganda's Director General of the National Agricultural Research
Organisation, Dr Denis Kyetere, lauded the project, saying it will help
create food security.
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