KALRO Hosts Media Study Tour To Highlight Advances In Biotech Potato Research

By: Cynthia Masibo

In a bid to enhance accurate and informed reporting on agricultural biotechnology, the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO), in collaboration with the Open Forum on Agricultural Biotechnology in Africa (OFAB) and the International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications (ISAAA), recently hosted a media study tour at its Muguga biotech potato research site. The event provided journalists with an opportunity to engage directly with scientists and regulators, gain first-hand insights into the latest developments in disease-resistant biotech potatoes, and understand the regulatory frameworks guiding biotechnology and biosafety in Kenya.

The study tour drew a diverse group of journalists from across the country, all keen to deepen their understanding of biotechnology’s role in transforming agriculture and ensuring food security. KALRO’s initiative comes at a crucial time when biotechnology, particularly genetically modified crops, continues to attract significant public interest and scrutiny. By fostering dialogue among scientists, regulators, farmers, and the media, the tour aimed to promote accurate and balanced media coverage on the subject.

At the KALRO-Muguga research center, participants were taken through an interactive program that showcased the ongoing research into biotech potato varieties engineered for resistance against devastating diseases such as late blight, which is a major constraint to potato production in Kenya and across many parts of Africa. Scientists explained the meticulous research process, from gene identification to field trials, and highlighted the potential benefits of biotech potatoes, including increased yields, reduced reliance on chemical pesticides, and enhanced food security for smallholder farmers.

One of the key sessions focused on the science behind genetic modification and how biotech crops are developed, tested, and regulated to ensure they meet stringent safety standards. Officials from Kenya’s biosafety regulatory authority detailed the country’s framework for assessing and approving biotech crops, emphasizing transparency and safety at every stage. Journalists were briefed on the importance of biosafety protocols in protecting human health and the environment, an aspect often misunderstood or misrepresented in public discourse.

During the visit, farmers currently engaged in biotech crop trials shared their experiences, providing real-life perspectives on how such innovations impact their livelihoods. Several farmers recounted the challenges they face with traditional potato farming due to pests and diseases and expressed optimism about the enhanced resistance traits of the biotech potatoes under development.

The study tour also incorporated a hands-on component: journalists toured experimental plots, observed the biotech plants firsthand, and reviewed data from recent field trials. This experiential learning was crucial in building media literacy, enabling journalists to better grasp complex scientific concepts and convey them accurately to the public.

KALRO’s head representative of Biotechnology and Biosafety, speaking to the media, underscored the importance of the collaboration with OFAB and ISAAA in driving public awareness and acceptance of agricultural biotechnology. “Through such engagements, we aim to empower the media to be champions of science-based reporting, which is essential for informed decision-making by policymakers and farmers alike,” he said.

Participants left the event equipped with a richer understanding of biotechnology’s potential and responsibilities. The media study tour underscored the power of informed journalism in shaping public perceptions and policy around agricultural innovations, highlighting how collaboration between research institutions and the media can contribute to sustainable agricultural development in Kenya and Africa.

As Kenya continues to explore biotechnology as a means to boost agricultural productivity and food security, initiatives like this media tour are vital to ensuring the public discourse is grounded in facts, science, and balanced reporting. With disease-resistant biotech potatoes on the horizon, the future looks promising for Kenyan farmers striving for resilience against plant diseases.