MEMBERS of parliament have urged the government to lift the ban on GMO foods, saying the move was not necessary.

The MPs, who are members of Parliamentary committees, called for a research-based policy change.

“Biotech projects address perennial drought problems that affect food security,” Emuhaya MP Wilbur Ottichilo said.

He said Kenya will remain food-insecure if farmers are denied technologies like biotechnology to increase farm yields and livelihoods.

Ottichilo asked why the government imported 60,000 tonnes of maize from Tanzania last week yet the country has no maize deficit.

He spoke during a field visit to the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organisation trial site to educate parliamentarians on modern biotechnology.

The trip was meant to build confidence in the research process and eventual adoption of ongoing biotech products such as the Water Efficient Maize for Africa drought-tolerant maize varieties.

Mt Elgon MP John Serut urged the government to allow biotech projects in research institutions and universities to address food security concerns.

"This will address drought and insect-related problems, which cause between 15-100 per cent of farm losses," Serut said.

Source: http://www.the-star.co.ke/