Maize shortage latest

Mututho says maize shortage is artificial
MONDAY, 04 JULY 2011 00:03 BY RITA DAMARY


UNSAFE: John Mututho. Photo/ Jack Owuor
Chair of the PARLIAMENTARY Committee on Agriculture John Mututho has faulted a section of millers and lobby groups for insisting on importation of genetically modified maize to cushion against the shortage in the country. In what he termed as corruption, Mututho said the maize shortage is artificial and meant to benefit individuals at the expense of the public.

Speaking yesterday during the Nakuru Agricultural Society of Kenya harvest thanks giving service held at Anglican Church of Kenya, Mututho said poor policies and culture of corruption in the ministry has largely contributed to food shortage.
He said GMOs have long-term effects on human beings and the environment and should not be consumed by Kenyans.“Maize shortage is another big scandal just like oil. The shortage has nothing to do with the environment and international market, but it is schemed business to make money,” said the Naivasha legislator.

Mututho claims that mismanagement at a number of parastatals in the Ministry of Agriculture has led to food insecurity in the country.
He proposed the formation of an oversight body and the scrapping of parastatals that have been overtaken by technological developments and agricultural trends “To cut short continued food shortage in Kenya, a National Food Security Authority should be formed to see transparent mobilisation of agricultural resources in Kenya,” said Mututho.

Nakuru ASK chair Jephter Rono said the show will start on Thursday and President Kibaki is expected to officially open the event on July 8. “Putting up a national authority will stabilise food independence in Kenya. It is a shame for the country to be faced by such challenges yet agriculture is one of the strongest sectors if well managed,” he saidd.

While comparing Kenya to Israel in agricultural development, Mututho challenged research institutes to adopt technological trends saying knowledge-based studies should be transformed into viable information for farmers. “We are challenging researchers like Kenya Seed Company, Kenya Agricultural Research Institute among others to appreciate modern technology in a bid to improve food security,” said MP.

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