African Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 4 (13), pp. 1490-1504, Special Review 2005          
ISSN 1684–5315 © 2005 Academic Journals

Review

Developing Bt maize for resource-poor farmers – Recent advances in the IRMA project

Stephen Mugo¹, Hugo De Groote^1[1], David Bergvinson³, Margaret Mulaa⁴, Josephine Songa⁵ and Simon Gichuki⁵

¹International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre (CIMMYT), P.O. Box 1024-00621 Village Market, Nairobi, Kenya.

²CIMMYT, Apdo. Postal 6-641, 06600 Mexico, D.F. Mexico.

³Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (KARI)-Regional Research Centre, PO Box 450, Kitale, Kenya.

⁴KARI – National Agricultural Research Laboratories, P.O. Box  57811-00200 Nairobi, Kenya.

^*Corresponding author. E-mail: h.degroote@cgiar.org.

Accepted 17 October, 2005

This paper presents an overview of the advances in the IRMA project, which develops insect resistant maize varieties for resource-poor farmers, using both conventional breeding and genetic engineering. The project started in 1999 and is active in product development, impact assessment, and communication, all within the Kenya regulatory framework. So far, four application for introduction of tissue or commencement of field research were made to and approved by the National Biosafety Committee (NBC), and Bt maize leaves or seeds genes imported for testing against different stem borer species in bioassays on cut leaves in a biosafety laboratory, in potted plants in a Biosafety Greenhouse, and as whole plants in confined field trials in the Open Quarantine Station (OQS) at KARI Kiboko. All these biosafety facilities were specially built by the project for these evaluations. So far, good control has been realized against four of the five major stem borer species: Chilo partellus, Chilo orichalcociliellus, Eldana saccharina and Sesamia calamistis. Economic impact assessment demonstrated that stem borers are major constraints and cause substantial losses. Resistant maize varieties are likely to be adopted and to provide major returns to the investment if resistance against the economically most important species, Busseola fusca, can be found. Otherwise, returns would still be positive but small. Environmental impact research indicate that build-up of resistance against the Bt genes has not developed after that sufficient natural refugia exist in most areas, but suitable strategies acceptable to farmers need to be developed for some. Surveys, stakeholders meetings and other communications indicate that farmers, consumers and other stakeholders are cautiously optimistic about technology. Frequent interaction with the stakeholders and regulatory agencies assures a participative decision-making process and compliance with the strictest scientific and regulatory standards.

Key words: Maize, Bt, stem borers, Kenya, genetic engineering.