In the heart of Nyeri County, smallholder farmers and organic farming advocates gathered at the first Central Kenya Indigenous Seed and Food Culture Harvest Festival to voice their concerns about Kenya’s shift toward Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs). This festival, organized by the National Museums of Kenya and the Biodiversity and Biosafety Association Kenya (Biba), attracted farmers from over 30 counties and highlighted the value of preserving indigenous seeds and food culture. The event’s theme, “Indigenous foods: Our Heritage, Wealth, and Health,” served as a call to embrace traditional agriculture practices in the face of increasing adoption of GMOs.
At the festival, organic farmers expressed fears about the potential health and environmental impact of fully embracing GMOs in Kenya. They worry that GMOs could erode Kenya’s agricultural heritage, which relies heavily on indigenous seeds and organic farming practices. Farmers argued that these high-yielding GMO crops, while promising increased food security, could carry significant risks. The focus on GM crops may discourage farmers from growing indigenous varieties, ultimately making Kenyan agriculture more dependent on multinational corporations for seeds and resources.
Health Risks for Consumers
Pauline Nagila, a smallholder farmer from Busia County, spoke candidly about her concerns, urging policymakers and the public to reconsider the foods promoted for consumption. “We are not fighting with the government,” she emphasized, “but we need to start thinking critically about what foods we are advocating for people to put into their mouths.” Nagila noted a rise in lifestyle diseases in Kenya, including diabetes, high blood pressure, and cancers, which she attributed to the drift from traditional, organic foods to genetically modified and chemically grown crops.
Nagila explained that in GMO production, farmers often use growth hormones and chemical pesticides that may compromise consumer health. “When you ingest the growth hormones and some of the chemicals used in the GM production cycle, they end up causing harm to your body,” she added. Her views echo those of other organic farmers, who argue that by promoting traditional organic foods, the government could prevent the spread of health complications attributed to these practices.
Environmental Implications for Farmers and Soil
Beyond health concerns, the festival highlighted the environmental impact of GMOs, specifically on soil health. Collins Chikoli, an agronomist with the Grow Bio-intensive Agriculture Centre of Kenya, explained how the switch to GMOs could exacerbate soil degradation. “Farmers are currently struggling with highly acidic soil levels due to harmful pesticides,” Chikoli remarked, adding that GM crops could require even more chemical inputs, worsening soil conditions.
Chikoli also pointed out that the reliance on GMOs could lead to the loss of indigenous seed varieties, as large-scale production may push out native species. He warned that Kenya’s smallholder farmers would likely become increasingly dependent on multinational companies for seeds, as GMOs tend to be engineered by large corporations that control seed distribution. This situation could also make Kenyan farmers vulnerable to fluctuating international seed prices and potentially lead to a reduction in agricultural biodiversity.
Legal and Policy Context
The farmers’ concerns come on the heels of a recent ruling by Justice Lawrence Mugambi of the High Court. The court dismissed petitions challenging the lifting of a 10-year ban on GM foods, indicating that adequate health and safety measures were in place to address these concerns. While the government advocates GMOs as a solution to Kenya’s food security challenges, farmers like Hellen Rotich from Bomet County argue for the need to prioritize consumer education. “At least with indigenous seeds, we have security and comfort that we are not consuming poison or poisonous substances,” Rotich said. She called for continued public sensitization on GMOs to empower Kenyans to make informed choices.
Preserving Indigenous Seeds and Culture
The Harvest Festival in Nyeri was a celebration of Kenya’s rich agricultural heritage. The exhibition underscored the value of indigenous seeds and highlighted traditional farming techniques, attracting interest from young farmers eager to preserve Kenya’s farming legacy. Participants discussed practical ways to protect indigenous varieties and boost awareness of organic farming benefits.
As Kenya’s agricultural sector stands at a crossroads, the festival emphasized the need for a balanced approach to food security one that values both technological advances and indigenous knowledge. While GMO crops may offer short-term solutions, organic farmers argue that the long-term health and environmental impacts must be carefully considered. The event underscored that in the pursuit of higher yields, Kenya’s agricultural policies must also safeguard the health of its people, its soil, and its heritage.
