Genetically modified (GM) crops have never been approved for commercialization in Kenya, but debates on their suitability have been going on for more than a decade. This article explores these debates in the context of GM maize in Kenya to better understand the positions of the different groups, and whether there is scope for policy change that would lead to the cultivation of GM crops. The economic and political motives of groups that are likely to lobby against or for the GM crop cultivation are evaluated. A multimarket economic surplus approach is employed to estimate disaggregated benefits. The results of the surplus analysis modeling are evaluated in the context of the wider GM crop debate in Kenya and the stated positions of the different stakeholders. The full article can be found at http://www.agbioforum.org/v19n2/v19n2a09-naseem.htm.

Authors: Latha Nagarajan (IFDC); Anwar Naseem and Carl Pray (Rutgers University)

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