The Political Economy of Genetically Modified Maize in Kenya
Date
2016
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Abstract
Genetically modified (GM) crops have never been approved for commercialization in Kenya, but debates on their suitability have been going on for more than a decade. In this article we explore these debates in the context of GM maize in Kenya to better understand the positions of the different groups, and whether there is scope for policy change that would lead to the cultivation of GM crops. We evaluate the economic and political motives of groups that are likely to lobby against or for the GM crop cultivation, such as different types of farmers and consumers, local and foreign seed companies, grain processors, and environmental groups. A multimarket economic surplus approach is employed to estimate disaggregated benefits. The results of the surplus analysis modeling is evaluated in the context of the wider GM crop debate in Kenya and the stated positions of the different stakeholders.
Description
Keywords
Maize, Genetically modified organisms
Citation
Nagarajan, L., A. Naseem, and C. Pray. 2016. “The Political Economy of Genetically Modified Maize in Kenya,” AgBioForum, 19(2):198-214.