Final feedback from review team
In Kenya, our aim
is to develop and deliver maize varieties resistant
to the major stem borer species to smallholder farmers,
and increase maize production and improve food security.
INTRODUCTION
- IRMA project will have run a five year time course by October 2003 and is up for review before charting the next course of action.
- A three member review team appointed by the Syngenta Foundation consisting of Prof. Walter Alhassan, Prof. Norah Olembo, Mr. Al Imfeld and Mr. Jost Frei have completed a 10-day review exercise. They will like to share some of the findings with the IRMA project executing team.
FINDINGS
- Achievements of the IRMA I have been remarkable and excellent work has been done by a highly motivated team.
- The target product is yet to be delivered. The timeline has been grossly underestimated. This was due firstly to the complexity of the biotic and abiotic factors influencing maize development which needed to be considered alongside the target product, Bt maize. The delay in the construction of the biosafety greenhouse has been a contributory factor.
RECOMMENDATIONS
The review team recommends a second phase IRMA under the following provisions:
- Closer collaboration should be intensified between KARI, farmers and extension which should lead to the launching of a product obtained through conventional breeding by 2005 and Bt maize by 2008 to meet the farmer’s expectation and to avoid disillusion.
- A key person should be identified by KARI to follow up regulatory processes in order to avoid delays.
- KARI should take a more active part in project management in IRMA II. A KARI counterpart to the Kenya CIMMYT coordinator should be nominated.
- More of the remaining fundamental work should be performed in KARI under the scientific leadership of CIMMYT.
- In order to meet the challenging time schedule more collaborative activities should be undertaken with institutions such as ICIPE pursuing similar research goals.
- It is necessary that KARI harmonizes all its maize development projects as well as its biotechnology capacity building initiatives.
- KARI is to ensure that the developed insect resistant maize varieties reach the small scale farmer at prices they can afford.
- The marketability of Bt maize locally and regionally should be examined. Product identification will present challenges to seed companies and the farmer.
- The Intellectual Property and Biosafety issues as well as delivery systems have to be considered and closely monitored. These relate to transboundary trade, material transfer agreements, the right for farmers to keep seeds, etc.
- A detailed business plan must be presented by mid May 2003 to Syngenta Foundation.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
- Government of Kenya
- Syngenta Foundation
- KARI
- CIMMYT
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