GE SWEETPOTATO IN KENYA
September 12, 2003
Crop Biotech Update
www.isaaa.org/kc
Research is being done in Kenya to develop a genetically modified (GM) virus
resistant sweetpotato. It is considered a promising option towards the
control of the sweetpotato virus disease (SWVD), specifically sweet potato
feathery mottle virus which accounts for about 80% yield loss.
Spearheaded by the Kenya Agricultural Research Institute in collaboration
with several international organizations, the research project seeks to
transfer virus resistance traits via genetic engineering to Kenyan
sweetpotato varieties for use by subsistence farmers. The International
Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications brokered the
project which among other things, identified appropriate partners for the
different implementation stages.
KARI has a biotechnology laboratory for further transformation of local
African sweetpotato genotypes. It has developed full capacity for conducting
laboratory, greenhouse and field experiments with GM plants.
The project was instrumental in catalyzing the formation and
operationalization of the biosafety and approval system for the introduction
of other GM crops in Kenya. /Africa Biotechnology Stakeholders Forum and
Kenya Biotechnology Information Center
More on the Kenya Biotechnology Information Center at http://www.isaaa-af
ricenter.org