Kenyan agriculture agency supports growing GM cotton

Kenya must set up a farm-to-factory supply chain for domestically grown cotton while discouraging import of fabric and clothing items, AFA said.

Currently, field trials are being conducted for GM cotton, before the government gives nod for commercialisation. The field trials are necessary to develop region-specific seeds, which can later be made available to farmers.

In addition to advocating adoption of GM cotton, AFA has suggested imparting training to 50,000 youth and women so they can get employment in textile and garment units. Such measures would increase the country’s revenue from textile industry to Sh200 billion by 2022 from the current Sh35 billion, AFA said. (RKS)

Fibre2Fashion News Desk – India