Kenya's government to boost Bt Cotton production

The Government will procure and distribute Bt cotton seed and pesticides to 23 counties suitable for cotton production during the current financial year 2020/21. “We have already secured 16.3 Metric Tons of Bt cotton seed for planting during October/November season in the Eastern region. As we seek to enhance cotton production, the Government is currently negotiating a Free Trade Agreement with USA and UK. While we expect a positive outcome in the negotiations, we have a great responsibility for ensuring that we will have the capacity to satisfy the requirements of these expansive markets once they are secured,” says Agriculture CS Peter Munya. The CS also announced the conclusion of the journey towards the approval for commercial production of Bt Cotton and commencement of the path towards revitalization of the cotton value chain and the textile industry in Kenya. ”The journey towards commercialization of Bt. cotton has been long and tedious, one that has been accompanied by a ...