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A coalition of small-scale farmers in Kenya has reignited the campaign against cultivation of genetically engineered crops while stressing that organic farming offers a sustainable path towards a food secure and ecologically healthy future.

The farmers challenged the government to recognize organic and other agro ecological farming practices in agriculture policies. Advocates representing farmers, consumers and environmental groups fear that large scale production of genetically engineered crops will trigger health and environmental hazards while undermining Kenya’s food sovereignty.

President Mwai Kibaki signed the Biosafety Act in 2009 to pave way for cultivation of genetically altered crops as a means to attain food security.

Proponents of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) hail them as the solution to food scarcity against a backdrop of rising demand from a burgeoning young population.

Likewise, the proponents insist that genetically engineered crops can withstand vagaries of weather, as well as attacks from pests and diseases.

A federation of green advocates in Kenya however, urges caution and reiterates that Kenya can achieve food security status through organic farming.