Progress on the Roadmap Towards Commercialization of Bt-Cotton in Kenya Anne Kimani KALRO Email: annkimani09@gmail.com anne.kimani@kalro.org Presented during 6 th Annual National Biosafety Conference held at the Kenya School of Monetary Studies, 3 rd -6 th October 2017
Stakeholder Forum Key Bt-Cotton Stakeholders met at PanAfric Hotel, Nairobi,15 th June 2010 Satisfied that the research phase of Bt- Cotton technology had been successfully accomplished Agreed on the need to expedite the commercialization process Constituted a Taskforce to draw the commercialization roadmap for Bt cotton in Kenya
Key Stakeholders MoA NBA Introduction to the rica Enterprise Challenge Fund Cotton Development Authority Hugh Scott, Nairobi, 15th June 2010
Taskforce Membership No. 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 Strategy Identification of focal points of discussion as follows: Mandatory Tests before Clearance for Open Release Research Beyond Confined Field Trials (CFT) Bt-Cotton Business Plan Outreach Activities Stewardship Taskforce Budget Five Subcommittees with Specific ToRs were formed to address the focal points
Identification of research studies to be undertaken during the commercialization process Insect Resistance Management: Alternate host studies (completed) Literature review on the biology and ecology of caterpillar pests of cotton in Kenya (completed) Baseline susceptibility of bollworms IRM strategy for Kenya Socio-economic studies: Progress Economic and social impacts of the introduction of Bt cotton in smallholder farming systems in Kenya
Progress Identification 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)
Progress Formation of an outreach secretariat Identification of outreach activities and channels Identification of stakeholders for outreach activities Prioritization of outreach regions and beneficiaries Identification of implementers for the outreach activities among them MoA, ISAAA, ABSF, Africa Harvest, SABIMA, UoN and PBS
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
The commercialization initiative remained a dream! 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
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 8 th November 2012
Stakeholders 45 participants from a cross section of organizations were in attendane
No Institution/ Company Stakeholders Present Meeting attended by 45 participants No. Participants Region 1 Monsanto 12 USA, RSA, Africa Europe Interest Commercialization strategy 2 KARI 4 Hqts, Thika Research during commercialization 3 MoA 3 Kilimo Growth of the sub-sector 4 CODA 6 Headquarters, regional 5 Seed Companies 4 Quton (Zimbabwe) Vibha (India) Advanta (India) Improved cotton production Business opportunity -seed bulking for local and export market 6 NBA 1 Kenya Regulatory requirement guideline 7 KEPHIS 1 Nairobi Regulatory requirement guideline
No Institution/ Company Stakeholders Present 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 Forward Application 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 Forward Business 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
Commercial Activities Variety registration Event registration Commercialization Roadmap Monsanto Current Scenario Jan13 Jan14 Jan15 Jan16 Jan17 Monsanto Compilation of application for commercialization Submission of application Authority Review of application Delivery of authorization Variety registration trials Authority 1 year of variety testing (conv. variety registered) Small Plot Field Plots Farmer Demo s Commercial Launch Commercial activities: development of optimal technical itinerary Breeder Seed-Increase Foundation-Increase Commercial Seed Increase Source: Monsanto
Ban on Importation of GMO Foods
Commercialization Dilemma On 21 st 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 Release On 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 2 nd 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 Initiative On 17 th 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 19 th 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 CS 3. 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
Progress Appointment 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
Progress Four 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 Membership No. 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 Roadmap i. Sep Oct 2017; Environmental Impact Assessment ii. Oct Nov 2017; Seed importation and planting of 1 st season of NPTs / DUS iii.mar Aug. 2018; Second season NPTs iv.oct - Dec 2018; Data analysis by KEPHIS and presentation to National Performance Technical Committee (NPTC) for recommendation of the best performing hybrids. v. Dec. 2018 Feb; 2019; Official release and registration of best performing hybrids by National Variety release Committee (NVRC) vi.feb Mar 2019; Seed importation for pre-commercialization phase (demonstrations trials and seed bulking) for released hybrids by NVRC vii.march Aug. 2019; Pre-commercialization phase of released and 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 Btcotton 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