Bacillus Thuringiensis (BT) is a species of bacteria that produces proteins that are toxic to certain insects. Because of this, it has been used as a safe microbial insecticide for over 50 years to control pest caterpillars.
Dr. Joel Ochieng, lead of Agricultural Biotechnology Programme at the University of Nairobi, said Kenya loses 60 percent of its maize at the farm level due to the stem borer pest, which BT maize can address.
Speaking during a visit to the counties of Baringo, West Pokot, Trans-Nzoia and Uasin Gishu, he explained that BT maize has been enhanced to protect itself from stem borer and modern biotech has been used to transfer the gene from a bacterium into maize to address the challenge.
Dr. Ochieng noted that Kenyans have been using a lot of pesticides to spray their maize, which is not good for the environment and also makes maize more expensive at the retail price.
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โWe are now using the best and most simplistic language to sensitise Kenyans on how genetic engineering is a harmless bacterium combined with maize and how it enhances and protects maize against insects,โ he said.
