NAIROBI, Kenya 

Grappling with growing food insecurity and a devastating drought, Kenya has “effectively” lifted its decade-old ban on open cultivation of genetically modified crops. 

The decision was taken at a Cabinet meeting chaired by new President William Ruto after considering the recommendations put forward by a task force on genetically modified foods and food safety, the presidency said in a statement on Monday evening.

In Kenya, there was a ban on “open cultivation of genetically modified crops and the importation of food crops and animal feeds produced through biotechnology innovations” since November 2012.

“The Cabinet vacated its earlier decision … effectively lifting the ban on genetically modified crops,” the statement said.

“Open cultivation and importation of White (GMO) Maize is now authorized,” it added.

The meeting also focused on various measures to boost Kenya’s food security as 23 of the country’s 47 counties struggle with a devastating drought.

Proposals presented included reducing Kenya’s reliance on rain-fed agriculture by increasing irrigation, planting diverse and drought-resistant crops, and implementation of early warning and response mechanisms, the statement said.

According to a recent report by Famine Early Warning Systems Network, Kenya is facing elevated “acute food insecurity … due to the impacts of drought on multiple below-average crop and livestock production seasons and high inflation.”