By Jevans Nyabiage

An industry lobby has attempted to allay fears of loss of business for local pesticide and fertiliser makers when genetically modified crops are fully adopted in Kenya.

Proponents of biotechnology claim these crops can greatly reduce the amount of pesticides and fertilisers needed. This, among other factors, is said to be fuelling pesticide makers’ stiff opposition to the genetically modified crops.

Richard Shikuku, chief executive officer of the Agrochemicals Association of Kenya (AAK), says the technology is good for building up the country’s food reserves, and the adoption of GMOs will not kill the pesticides business.

AAK is the umbrella organisation in Kenya for manufacturers, formulators, re-packers, importers, distributors, farmers and users of pest control products (pesticides).

Closure

“We always advocate an integrated approach to technologies in production. Pesticides are just one of the ways to manage production, and we take everything into consideration,” Mr Shikuku told the Sunday Nation.

He said that even if the adoption of GMOs grows in Kenya, it doesn’t mean the use of pesticides would decline to such levels to force the closure of businesses since even today their products are used as a last resort.

“Fertilisers are also here to stay,” he said.

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