The Colombian experience of growing Bt cotton can be replicated in Kenya, and it would boost the performance of Kenyan agricultural sector, according to an expert.
Dr. Charles Waturu, the Centre Director of Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (KARI) – Thika, who is also the principal investigator of the Bt cotton project, presented a paper titled "Bt cotton commercialization: case study of Colombia" at the OFAB monthly forum.
At the forum, Dr. Waturu shared his observations from a recent visit to Colombia, where he interacted with cotton cultivators, ginners and traders.
He said Colombia has been growing Bt cotton commercially since 2002 and by 2010, the country's income from Bt cotton has grown by US$ 45 million.
He said Colombia's success with Bt cotton can be emulated by Kenya. However, he stressed on the need to produce Bt cotton seed within the country so as to make the crop well adapted to Kenyan climatic and soil conditions.
The Kenyan Government is pondering on giving green signal for cultivating Bt cotton in the country from 2014.
Fibre2fashion News Desk - India