Kenyan Farmers Could Grow GMO Potatoes by 2028

Key Highlights:

• Kenya could begin cultivating genetically modified (GMO) potatoes resistant to late blight disease by 2028.
• The National Biosafety Authority (NBA) is finalizing a biosafety assessment for the 3R-gene Shangi potato developed by KALRO.
• Public consultations on the proposed GMO potato variety expected before December 2025.
• The new variety aims to curb potato losses caused by late blight and boost annual production beyond 2.1 million tonnes.
• AATF estimates Kenya could earn an extra KSh 31.9 billion over 30 years from the GMO potato.
• Delays in commercializing GMO crops, including maize and cotton, have cost Kenya about KSh 20.3 billion in five years.

Kenya is edging closer to approving its first genetically modified potato variety that could help farmers overcome late blight disease — a persistent challenge in the country’s potato sector.

The National Biosafety Authority (NBA) says the ongoing evaluation of the blight-resistant 3R-gene Shangi potato developed by the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO) is nearly complete.

According to NBA Biosafety Assessment Director, Josphat Muchiri, the process has entered its final stages, with public participation scheduled before December 2025.

“We are currently evaluating KALRO’s application for potatoes enhanced with resistance to late blight disease. The assessment is ongoing, and very soon, we will invite public input on the variety,” Muchiri said.

If approved, Kenyan farmers could begin planting the GMO potatoes as early as 2028, a move expected to transform national potato yields and reduce losses linked to fungal infections.

Billions Lost to Delays

A report by the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF) titled The Cost of Delay shows that postponing the release of GMO maize, cotton, and potato varieties has cost Kenya about KSh 20.3 billion over five years.

The same report estimates that commercializing the blight-resistant potato could generate KSh 31.9 billion in additional revenue for the country over the next three decades.

“That KSh 20.3 billion is money we could have used to feed our people,” said Dr. Daniel Kyalo, Senior Policy Manager at AATF. “Unfortunately, misinformation and myths surrounding GMOs have slowed adoption and stirred unnecessary debate about safety.”

Lessons from Cotton and Maize

Kenya lifted its 10-year ban on GMO crops in 2022, paving the way for the commercial rollout of Bt cotton, which has already shown strong performance among smallholder farmers.

Wilfrida Mubea, a cotton farmer from Kitui, shared her success story.

“Before Bt cotton, I used to harvest 500 kilograms from my three acres. After switching in 2020, my yield rose to 1,442 kilograms,” she said.

However, the commercialization of Bt maize has encountered legal obstacles, which AATF estimates have cost Kenya KSh 8.6 billion, mainly due to higher pesticide expenses linked to non-GM crops.

“Two of the lawsuits have been dismissed by the High Court and the Environment and Land Court, but some are still pending before the Court of Appeal and the High Court in Kisumu,” Muchiri noted.

Promise of a Modernized Potato Sector

Experts believe that adopting genetically improved crops could significantly strengthen Kenya’s agricultural economy. According to AATF projections, full commercialization of GMO maize, cotton, and potatoes could inject KSh 60.7 billion into the economy over the next 30 years.

With potatoes ranking among Kenya’s most important food and cash crops, the potential rollout of the 3R-gene Shangi variety marks a pivotal step toward higher yields, reduced chemical use, and enhanced food security.