Progress on the Roadmap Towards Commercialization of Bt-Cotton in Kenya

Anne KimaniKALRO

Email: annkimani09@gmail.comanne.kimani@kalro.org

Presented during 6th Annual National Biosafety Conference held at the Kenya School of Monetary Studies, 3rd-6th October 2017

Stakeholder Forum

Key Bt-Cotton Stakeholders met at PanAfricHotel, Nairobi,15th June 2010

Satisfied that the research phase of Bt-Cotton technology had been successfullyaccomplished

Agreed on the need to expedite thecommercialization process

Constituted a Taskforce to draw thecommercialization roadmap for Bt cotton inKenya

Introduction to the

Africa Enterprise Challenge Fund

Cotton Development Authority

Hugh Scott, Nairobi, 15th June 2010

MoA

NBA

Key Stakeholders

Taskforce MembershipNo. Members Institution Role

1. Dr. Waturu C.N. KARI Chair

2. Ms. Anne W. Kimani KARI Secretary

3. Mr. Hesbon Olweny CODA Member

4. Ms. Jane Otadoh MoA Member

5. Mr. Abed Kagundu KEPHIS Member

6. Dr. Raphael Wanjogu NIB Member

7. Dr. Felix M’Mboyi ABSF Member

8. Mr. Francis Ndambuki Kenya Seed Co. Member

9. Mr. Francis Mwilu Gatsby Kenya Trust Member

10. Mr. Kinyua M’Mbijjewe Monsanto Kenya Ltd. Member

11. Mr. Mugo Makanga Mwea Ginnery Member

12. Mr. Taher Zavery Kitui Ginnery Member

Taskforce Goal

Ultimate output of this initiative was to

draw a roadmap for the

commercialization of Bt-cotton technology

for profitable cotton production in Kenya

Taskforce StrategyIdentification of focal points of discussion asfollows:

Mandatory Tests before Clearance for OpenRelease

Research Beyond Confined Field Trials (CFT)

Bt-Cotton Business Plan

Outreach Activities Stewardship

Taskforce Budget

Five Subcommittees with Specific ToRs wereformed to address the focal points

Identification of research studies to be undertakenduring the commercialization process

Insect Resistance Management:

Alternate host studies (completed)

Literature review on the biology and ecology ofcaterpillar pests of cotton in Kenya (completed)

Baseline susceptibility of bollworms

IRM strategy for Kenya

Socio-economic studies:

Economic and social impacts of the introduction ofBt cotton in smallholder farming systems in Kenya

Progress

ProgressIdentification of potential business

partners

Seed producers including Kenya Seed

Company, Vibha Seed Company (India),

Quton Seed Company (Zimbabwe) and

Advanta Seed Company (India)

The National Irrigation Board (NIB)

Identification of ideal region/s for seed

multiplication (Bura and Hola Irrigation

schemes)

ProgressFormation of an outreach secretariat

Identification of outreach activities andchannels

Identification of stakeholders for outreachactivities

Prioritization of outreach regions andbeneficiaries

Identification of implementers for theoutreach activities among them MoA, ISAAA,ABSF, Africa Harvest, SABIMA, UoN andPBS

Key Outreach Achievements

Outreach Achievements

Rolling out of the outreach programme

Seminars and workshops

Media coverage and presentations

Meetings with policy makers

“Seeing is believing” tours

Communication materials

A Sensitization Workshop -Kabarnet

A Training Workshop in Machakos

A Training Workshop in Busia

A Sensitization Workshop in Garissa

Media Presentations

Inooro FM

Gikuyu Live

Interview

with Waithera

Muitherania

KBC Radio Interview with

Toepista Nabusoba

Citizen Radio Interview with

Christine Ojiambo

“Seeing is Believing” Tour Burkina Faso

Delegates

Development of Communication Materials

Challenge

Approval for Environmental Release

The major obstacle was the delay in the

development and gazettement of

biosafety regulations for making the

Biosafety Act, 2009 operational

This delayed the application for

environmental release of Bt cotton being the

final risk assessment stage that will enable

commercialization

The commercialization initiative

remained a dream !

Gazettement of

Biosafety Regulations

Biosafety Regulations

A major breakthrough to the Bt-Cotton

commercialization initiative was realized in

August 2011 when the Biosafety

Regulations were gazetted

Contained Use

Environmental Release

Export, Import and Transit

Stakeholders Meeting of

8th November 2012

Stakeholders

45 participants from a cross section of organizations were in attendane

Stakeholders Present

No Institution/

Company

No.

Participants

Region Interest

1 Monsanto 12 USA, RSA, Africa

Europe

Commercialization strategy

2 KARI 4 Hqts, Thika Research during

commercialization

3 MoA 3 Kilimo Growth of the sub-sector

4 CODA 6 Headquarters,

regional

Improved cotton production

5 Seed

Companies

4 Quton (Zimbabwe)

Vibha (India)

Advanta (India)

Business opportunity -seed

bulking for local and export

market

6 NBA 1 Kenya Regulatory requirement

guideline

7 KEPHIS 1 Nairobi Regulatory requirement

guideline

Meeting attended by 45 participants

Stakeholders PresentNo Institution/

Company

No.

Participants

Region Interest

8 Ginners 3 Mpeketoni, Mwea Business opportunity

9 ISAAA 1 Kenya Promotion of biotechnology

through Communication

10 ABSF 1 Nairobi Promoting biotechnology

11 KGT 3 Nairobi Supporting the farmer

12 MoLD 1 Nairobi Animal feed

13 NIB 2 Mwea Irrigated cotton production

14 PBS 1 Nairobi Supporting the process

15 Rivatex 1 Eldoret Potential market for raw

materials

16 BTA 1 Nairobi Success of biotechnology

Objectives

To discuss the position

on Bt-Cotton

commercialization

process

To draw a clear roadmap

for commercialization of

Bt-Cotton in Kenya

Meeting Way ForwardApplication for environmental release

Compilation of the application dossier to be

completed and submitted to the NBA by end of

January 2013

Transformation

Suitable varieties to be identified for

transformation into Bt-cotton variety

Outreach and Stewardship

Outreach activities to continue with prioritized

stakeholders

Outreach activities to intensify after approval

Meeting Way ForwardBusiness Strategy

Monsanto to license interested parties to use the

Bollgard II technology

Seed multiplication to be done in Kenya by

Monsanto and licensees

Three private seed companies expressed interest -

Vibha, Advanta both from India and Quton from

Zimbabwe –production for local and export

markets

Licensees could use their germplasm (subject to

registration in the National Variety List by KEPHIS)

Seed quality standards to be set by Monsanto

Commercialization Roadmap

Jan13 Jan14 Jan15 Jan16 Jan17

• Compilation of application for commercialization • Submission of application

Monsanto

Authority

• Review of application• Delivery of authorizationEv

ent

regi

stra

tio

nV

arie

ty r

egis

trat

ion

Authority

• 1 year of variety testing (conv. variety registered)

Variety registration trials

• Commercial activities: development of optimal technical itinerary

Monsanto Current Scenario

Breeder Seed-Increase Foundation-Increase Commercial Seed Increase

Co

mm

erci

al A

ctiv

itie

s Small Plot Field Plots

Farmer Demo’s

Commercial Launch

Source: Monsanto

Ban on Importation of

GMO Foods

Commercialization Dilemma

On 21st November 2012 the ministry of

public health put a ban on importation of

genetically modified foods in Kenya

This was a big blow to the

commercialization initiative since cotton is

not just a fibre but also produces oil and

feed

Which Way?

Application for Open ReleaseOn 4th August 2015 Monsanto (K) Ltd made an

application for environmental release and placing on

the market of Bt-cotton and varietal derivatives in

Kenya

On 2nd September 2016, the NBA gave Monsanto

approval for environmental release subject to

meeting some conditions among them a clearance

certificate on Environmental Impact Assessment

Monsanto however, petitioned NBA to ease some of

the conditions that were considered stringent

These engagements once again slowed down the

process

Government Initiative

2017

Cotton Revival InitiativeOn 17th May 2017 a retreat for the Ministry of

Industry, Trade and Cooperatives was held at

Maanzoni, Machakos to brainstorm revival of the

cotton sub-sector

The participants unanimously acknowledged the role

of Bt-cotton in the revival initiative

A team was constituted to develop a cotton revival

strategy using Bt-cotton for presentation to the

Cabinet Secretary MoITC

On 19th May 2017, a draft cotton strategy was

developed

Why the Initiative?

The country is doing poorly in cotton

production for lack of quality and quantity

inputs

Bt and other plant breeding techniques

could produce better seeds

Source (Rajeev’s slide)

Meeting with CS MITC

On 21st June 2017, the team presented the

cotton industry revival strategy to the CS, MoITC

The resolutions of the meeting were;

1. Lifting ban on GM Food imports

A memo petitioning ban of GMOs for

presentation in the Cabinet meeting to be done

2. Formation of a Commercialization Task Force

Team should constitute experts in the sector

A letter of appointment for approval by CS to be

done

Resolutions of Meeting with CS3. Fast tracking of National Performance Trials

and Environmental Impact Assessment through;

Identification of sites where NPTs will be

undertaken

Undertaking site specific EIA on identified sites

Identification of seed companies for seed

multiplication

4. A budget for NPTs to be developed

Development of budget for the 5 year project

period

ProgressAppointment of a 12 member Task Force by the

CS MoAL&F to oversee commercialization of

Bt-cotton

9 sites for NPTs identified

Budget for NPTs developed and submitted

A document on potential of Bt-Cotton and

impact to the farmers developed

Engagement with seed companies ie Monsanto

and Mahyco for seed multiplication ongoing

A provisional commercialization roadmap drawn

ProgressFour Taskforce and several side meetings held

Protocol for NPTs developed

A team of EIA experts identified and program

drawn

Process for NPTs seed importation underway

Engagement with partners and collaborators for

stakeholder capacity building on-going

Funding for EIA and first season NPTs approved

One communications workshop for Taskforce

members held

Taskforce MembershipNo. Members Position Institution

1. Dr. Johnson Irungu Director of Agriculture

CRA&MD

MoAL&F

2. Mr. Peter Opiyo Managing Director PCPB

3. Prof. Thomas Kipkurgat Chief Executive Officer Rivatex

4. Mr. Johnson Mko Agronomist NIB

5. Mr. Rajeev Arora Advisor to CS, CT&AS MITC

6. Dr. Willy Tonui Chief Executive Officer NBA

7. Dr. Charles Waturu Director HRI KALRO

8. Mr. Anthony Mureithi Interim Head of Directorate AFFA

9. Dr. Esther Kimani Managing Director KEPHIS

10. Prof. Geoffrey Wakhungu Director General NEMA

11. Ms. Florida Maritim Assistant Director Corporate

Communications

KALRO

12. Ms. Anne Wamae Textile Officer MITC

Identified Sites for NPTs

No Site Name County Season

1. Bura Tana River Oct-Nov 2017

2. Katumani Machakos Oct-Nov 2017

3. Mwea Kirinyaga Oct-Nov 2017

4. Perkerra Baringo Oct-Nov 2017

5. Kampi ya Mawe Makueni Oct-Nov 2017

6. Mpeketoni Lamu Mar-Apr 2018

7. Kibos Kisumu Mar-Apr 2018

8. Alupe Busia Mar-Apr 2018

9. Kerio Valley Baringo Mar-Apr 2018

Provisional Roadmapi. Sep–Oct 2017; Environmental Impact Assessment

ii. Oct–Nov 2017; Seed importation and planting of 1st seasonof NPTs / DUS

iii.Mar–Aug. 2018; Second season NPTs

iv.Oct - Dec 2018; Data analysis by KEPHIS and presentationto National Performance Technical Committee (NPTC) forrecommendation of the best performing hybrids.

v. Dec. 2018–Feb; 2019; Official release and registration of bestperforming hybrids by National Variety release Committee(NVRC)

vi.Feb–Mar 2019; Seed importation for pre-commercializationphase (demonstrations trials and seed bulking) for releasedhybrids by NVRC

vii.March–Aug. 2019; Pre-commercialization phase of releasedand registered hybrids

viii.October, 2019; Official launch of BGII commercial cultivation

Bt-Cotton in Sudan

Source: ISAAA

Bt-Cotton in Sudan

Source: ISAAA

Conclusion

The stakeholders are now hopeful that this

revived initiative for commercialization of Bt-

cotton will bear fruits

Successful commercialization of Bt-cotton

technology will set precedent for future

commercialization of other genetically

modified organisms in the country

The Vision

Thank You