The Agri-Biotech Sensitization Workshop, held on February 20th-21st, 2025, in Nairobi, marked a significant step towards strengthening the role of nutritionists in addressing food and nutritional security, with a special focus on genetically modified organisms (GMOs).
The two-day event, under the banner of the Africa Science Dialogue, gathered over 25 stakeholders from diverse organizations with a common goal: to increase the understanding of biotechnology’s potential in addressing food security challenges, especially amidst the ongoing debate around GMOs.
Officiated by Dr. Margaret Karembu, Director of the International Service for the Acquisition of Agri Biotech Applications (ISAAA), the workshop sought to foster an informed network of nutritionists equipped with accurate knowledge on biotech foods.
Dr. Karembu emphasized the importance of adapting to technological change and managing the misinformation that often circulates on digital platforms.
“We must actively engage in addressing concerns about GMOs by seeking expert responses and contributing to public awareness,” She said.
Dr. Karembu remarked, underlining the vital role nutritionists play in shaping perceptions of biotechnology in food systems.
The workshop’s discussions highlighted several challenges facing Kenyan nutritionists as they strive to share credible information with the public, especially regarding the sensitive issue of GMOs.
These challenges stemmed from institutional barriers, communication restrictions, and the rapid spread of misinformation. Key Challenges Faced by Nutritionists
1. Institutional Authorization Delays: Many nutritionists reported that institutional regulations required them to obtain approval before offering their expert opinions, especially to the media. This approval process often delayed timely dissemination of critical information.
2. Limited Public Engagement: Despite possessing valuable expertise, nutritionists found themselves stymied by strict official channels, which made it difficult to respond quickly to public queries, particularly in urgent situations.
3. University Protocols: Nutritionists working within academic institutions often faced strict communication protocols, where every public statement had to be approved and attributed according to the institution’s guidelines. This made it challenging to freely express opinions or participate in public debates.
4. Media Presence Limitations: The lack of media training, combined with institutional constraints, meant that many nutritionists struggled to build a visible media presence, making it harder to share their knowledge with a wider audience.
5. Risk of Misinterpretation: When engaging with the media, nutritionists were often concerned about their messages being misinterpreted or misrepresented, which increased their reluctance to participate in public discussions.
6. Outdated Regulations: Some nutritionists pointed to outdated regulations, particularly around data sharing and risk assessments, which hindered their ability to contribute timely research or innovations related to food security.
Solutions to Overcome Challenges
While the challenges were significant, the workshop also highlighted potential solutions to address these barriers and improve communication between nutritionists and the public.
1. Streamline Approval Processes: Nutritionists suggested that institutions work to streamline communication protocols, allowing for faster approval processes, especially for urgent media engagements. This would ensure critical information is shared in a timely manner.
2. Develop Media-Friendly Expertise: A call was made for nutritionists to undergo media training, enabling them to communicate their knowledge more effectively to the public while adhering to institutional guidelines. This training would focus on creating clear, concise messaging on key issues like food safety and nutrition.
3. Leverage Anonymous Platforms: In instances where institutional approval processes were too slow, nutritionists recommended exploring anonymous platforms to share expert information, using tools such as AI-generated voices or videos to ensure credibility without compromising anonymity.
4. Collaborate with Communication Offices: Proactive collaboration between nutritionists and their institution’s communication offices could help overcome barriers to media engagement. Regular interaction with the media would allow institutions to recognize the value of quicker, more flexible communication policies.
5. Advocate for Flexible Regulations: Nutritionists and their institutions should advocate for revisions to outdated regulations that hinder the swift sharing of data and research. Flexibility in risk assessments and data portability would facilitate faster implementation of beneficial agricultural and nutritional innovations.
6. Build a Strong Online Presence: Nutritionists were encouraged to enhance their online presence through professional platforms like LinkedIn and social media, positioning themselves as trusted sources of information and making it easier for the media to engage with them.
7. Encourage Cross-Sector Collaboration: Collaboration across different sectors – including academia, government, and the private sector – would help streamline the dissemination of accurate nutritional information, ensuring that the public receives timely and reliable data.
Dr. Martin Mwirigi, Director at the Biotech Research Institute KALRO, discussed the importance of innovation in addressing climate change challenges.
He highlighted the completion of national performance trials by KEPHIS, which could lead to the distribution of improved cassava varieties to farmers.
He also disclosed the development of vaccines for animal diseases to improve production, emphasizing ongoing research in the country.
According to Dr Mwirigi,Key benefits of GMOs include enhanced nutritional content (e.g., Vitamin A-rich “Golden Rice”), longer shelf life, reduced allergens and toxins, improved food security, and lower pesticide exposure.
By embracing these solutions, nutritionists in Kenya can play a pivotal role in shaping public understanding of biotechnology, food security, and the role of GMOs in creating a sustainable and nutritious future.
As the world intensifies its efforts to combat climate change, Africa’s role in shaping global climate policy becomes ever more crucial.The launch of the Pre-SB62 Africa Group of Negotiators Expert Support (AGNES) Strategy Meeting in Kenya marks an important step for the continent’s climate leadership which brings together experts that can help in agriculture and mitigation of climate change.
According to the World Meteorological Office, 2025 is expected to be one of the three warmest years on record globally, with January 2025 already declared the warmest January in history.
The Summit was officiated by Dr. Eng. Festus K. Ng’eno, the Principal Secretary in the State Department for Environment and Climate Change, who encouraged the commitment among African nations to advance climate action, particularly in key sectors such as agriculture, finance, gender, and human mobility.“Climate change is no longer a distant threat; it is our daily reality,” Dr. Ng’eno said, drawing attention to the alarming outlook for 2025.
The gathering of at least over one hundred delegates, focused on refining negotiating positions for the upcoming 62nd session of the Subsidiary Bodies (SB62), emphasized the need for stronger, more unified African voices in global climate action.
The meeting highlighted Africa’s vulnerability to climate change, noting that the continent is disproportionately affected by rising temperatures, shifting weather patterns, and extreme climate events.
The role of smallholder farmers, who often face the brunt of climate-related shocks, was also highlighted, with discussions centering around policies that protect agri-value chains and enhance resilience.
Agriculture is not the only sector where Africa faces unique challenges.Agriculture, the backbone of many African economies, faces an existential crisis as the continent struggles to ensure food security for a rapidly growing population amidst the impacts of climate change.Dr. Ng’eno reinforced the importance of integrating climate resilience into agriculture strategies, urging the prioritization of climate-smart agricultural practices.He emphasized the need for nature-based solutions like agroforestry and regenerative agriculture to bolster productivity and sustainability.
Dr. Ng’eno pointed out that the continent’s limited access to finance and technology exacerbates its vulnerability. “Adaptation is not just a necessity; it is an existential imperative,” he declared, stressing the need for enhanced climate finance to enable African nations to respond effectively to climate impacts.The meeting also revisited key outcomes from COP29, where significant strides were made, including the adoption of a USD 300 billion annual climate action target for developing countries and advancements in climate finance mechanisms.
Notably, the Baku Adaptation Roadmap and the USD 1.3 trillion “Baku to Belém Roadmap” are steps in the right direction for ensuring that Africa’s needs are met in global climate finance discussions.“Africa’s priorities on adaptation, finance, agriculture, gender, and human mobility must remain central to global climate discussions,”Dr. Ng’eno emphasized, reinforcing the continent’s commitment to securing just and equitable climate solutions.
He called on African nations to unite and advocate for increased access to climate finance, technology transfer, and capacity-building to support the implementation of sustainable climate solutions across the continent.
As the meeting progresses, African negotiators are preparing to craft a strong, unified stance ahead of SB62 and COP30.
