Agatha Katheu, Kenya Broadcasting Corporation via Yahoo! News

Kenya's Agriculture Minister Kipruto Kirwa today released 21 varieties of genetically modified maize seeds, the GMOs.

Among the leading seed companies that will avail the seeds include Monsanto Kenya Ltd and the Kenya Agricultural Research Institute .

The release comes at a time when the country has had a maize deficit of almost 2 million bags as announced the minister last Month.

The genetically modified seeds are expected to help bridge the food insufficiency gap and improve the country’s maize production.

The new seed variety prices have been reduced by a further 5 percent to soften the blow caused by rising fertiliser prices.

Farmers had expressed fear of fertiliser shortage due to an increase in their prices but the minister assured them of adequate supplies.

Last season the Agricultural Financial Corporation availed 750 million shillings as seasonal credit.

Another 800 million shillings will be available for disbursement in the 2005 planting season.