A Kenyan farmer is watching and waiting to see how viable the first human trials of GM bananas are, following claims they could be the answer to nutrition problems in East African nations.

Earlier this week, Australia's Queensland University of Technology (QUT) announced its orange-flesh, pro-vitamin A-enriched bananas would be tested in a U.S. study. The project, backed by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF), currently has field trials in North Queensland and Uganda.

Wilberforce Ngugi of Roypack Enterprises, a Nairobi-based grower and supplier of Kenyan fruit and vegetables, told www.freshfruitportal.com that although he felt positive about a  project that aims to bring  to the region, the initiative may come under scrutiny from African nations or groups and organizations opposed to genetically modified food.

"I think this is a very good venture and I like the idea of it. I’m waiting for the testing to be carried out to see how viable they actually are," Ngugi said.

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"I agree the GM bananas could help nutrition problems in Africa, but that depends on how many countries consider bananas their staple food.

"Going by the benefits to the human body and their resistance to many banana diseases, I feel very positive about them. However, considering a number of African countries oppose GM foods, that might be another thing to handle before the initiative achieves its objectives."

Results of the six-week human trials are expected by the end of the year and banana plants will be used in multi-location field trials in Uganda over the next three years, according to the lead on the project, Professor James Dale from QUT.

"If the trials proved successful then I would consider growing them," Ngugi added.

"It is a good idea for Uganda and Kenya as they're neighbors and a good initiative generally bearing in mind that in many African countries there are a lack of foods rich in vitamin A.

"This badly affects growth in our children. So hopefully these bananas will be a boost to health."

A spokesman for the Ugandan Ministry of Agriculture told www.freshfruitportal.com that government officials are also interested in the outcome of the trials, but stressed it is too early to tell what the future holds for GM bananas and their impact on malnutrition statistics in the country and other African nations.

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