Agricultural Biotechnology in Food Security and Poverty Alleviation in Kenya: Prospects, Challenges, and Strategic Pathways

Abstract

Kenya, being a member state of the United Nations (UN), is committed to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). However, with an exponentially growing human population coupled with a decline in the performance of the agriculture sector over the last decade, achievement of the first two SDGs of ending poverty and hunger may seem difficult. Levels of austerity and food insecurity are rampant, especially in the Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALs). Agricultural biotechnology offers a way out but comes with challenges. This study, therefore, explored the prospects, challenges, and strategic pathways associated with agricultural biotechnology. Desktop Research Design was adopted. Articles were sourced from multiple electronic databases. The study established that agricultural biotechnology has the potential to boost food productivity in the ASALs through the introduction of hardy but productive breeds of livestock and varieties of crops. Furthermore, the study established that agricultural biotechnology presents nutritional and environmental benefits. Besides the prospects, the study also identified possible health, economic, and environmental challenges associated with agricultural biotechnology, especially Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs). The study, therefore, recommended that the National Biosafety Authority, with help from the ministries of Agriculture, Environment, and Health, should undertake independent and unbiased research on the potential prospects and challenges of agricultural biotechnology and disseminate the findings to Kenyans to enable them to make informed decisions on whether to embrace or reject agricultural biotechnology.