As we see manufacturing and processing, Technical and Vocational Education and Training is still crucial in unraveling our economy. The institutions are charged with providing qualified and relevant human resources to turn our economy around.
Principal Secretary, State Department for Technical and Vocational Education and Training, Dr Margaret Mwakima chaired the 11th International Research conference at Eldoret National Polytechnic that brought researchers, innovators, technology advancement, policy and strategy makers on matters of sustainable development.
Dr Mwakima pointed out that agriculture for food security in this country is one of the areas of interest and focus in innovation and technology.
“We are at dispensation period where we are faced with global challenges of climate change, water scarcity, and soil infertility therefore as researchers we need to provide solutions to be able to ensure that we have food security, and be able to get innovations for us to be able to industrialize the nation and get into manufacturing economy,” Mwakima said.
She stated that most areas of the country are becoming dryer and that the soils are depleted in nutrients. Genetically Modified Food (GMO), has been introduced to help the country get resilience and adaptability.
GMO food is now legalized in Kenya, following the lifting of the ban on the import and growth of genetically modified food, including white maize.
Mwakima expressed optimism that GMO crops will have many advantages, such as higher yields or resistance to pests and droughts. Therefore, the government has turned towards GMO crops in the hope of bigger harvests.
“Our focus as TVET in to invest more resources in Bio-technology and research to be able to get our trainees who can inform the technology in terms of its establishment and sustainability,” she said.
The PS noted that it is possible to reduce the risks associated with biotech foods by using the various regulatory mechanisms we have in place. This includes the Bio Safety Authorities (NBA), but worldwide before a biotech product is released onto the market, it is usually certified and certified by the World Health Organizations (WHO) and Food and Agriculture Organizations Organizations Organizations of (FAO), among other organizations.
The chairman National Bio-Safety Authority (NBA) Dr Joseph Chavidia said, “Kenya has been reluctant to approve the import and planting of biotech crops but the decision was long overdue as enough research has been done to enable us embrace GMO as it is safe and secure for consumption.”
Speaking about the potential benefits of the biotech crops, the chairman said, “We believe the lifting of the ban of GMO will go a long way in elevating our current food security problem, so we welcome the idea as we want to significantly redefine agriculture in our country and reduce its dependence on water intensive agriculture by planting crops that are drought resistant.
“We encourage Kenyans to embrace GMO, ultimately our aim is for us to get food to the table that is safe and free and improve the farmer’s economic status and to avoid the many perceived challenges,” he noted.
Judy Too
Source: kenyanews
