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"id": 1009016,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1009016/?format=api",
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"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Sen. (Dr.) Milgo",
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"speaker": {
"id": 13174,
"legal_name": "Milgo Alice Chepkorir",
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"content": "Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. I rise pursuant to Standing Order 47 (1) to make a Statement on an issue of general topical concern, namely, financial intermediaries as key in boosting food and nutrition security. As you are aware, the COVID-19 pandemic is a health and human crisis that has caused food and nutrition insecurity to millions of people globally, Kenya included. Measures to mitigate the pandemic are already affecting global food systems. Border restrictions and lockdowns, for example, in some parts of the world are leaving millions of seasonal workers without livelihoods as well as constraining transport of food to markets. Actors in all parts of the food systems are affected by this pandemic and deep global economic shift caused by COVID-19 will impact the cashflow and financial liquidity of producers; small and medium agribusinesses to financial institutions due to inhibited production capacity, limited market access, loss of remittances, lack of employment and unexpected medical cost. Madam Deputy Speaker, as countries continue to roll out sizeable relief and stimulus packages, the needs of food system actors deserve attention to ensure food security post-COVID-19. In response to this, the microenterprises support programme trust; a development organization mandated to support the growth and development of small-holder farmers cooperatives, small and medium enterprises for improved busines competitiveness and poverty reduction in Kenya, has embarked on building resilience of the small-holder farmers and financial intermediaries to respond, recover and thrive past the COVID-19 crisis. It is, therefore, of paramount importance that financial institutions and partners restructure loans for farmers to ease their struggles amidst the devastating impact of COVID-19 according to directives by the national Government in respect to moratorium and extension of loan tenures. Over half of the world’s population who are living on urban areas, depend on food market sources of affordable food. However, such markets have been associated with major outbreaks of diseases such us cholera, severe acute respiratory syndrome, avian flu, influenza and COVID-19. This raises alarm about emerging food safety concerns within the food production system. What markets sell affordable locally produced fresh food, which include produce like meat, fish and eggs and what markets are there for a major component in the informal market sector? These markets are essential for economic growth and livelihoods of millions of people, especially in rural areas, which include smallholder farming households, small traders, vendors and consumers. These markets are also popular tourist destinations as they become attributed to regions’ cultural presence. Madam Deputy Speaker, I would, therefore, urge the Micro-enterprise Support Programme Trust to work in partnership with the county governments to ensure proper management of ward markets, by ensuring that enabling policies and legislations to support enactment of food safety and management of markets are put in place. The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor, Senate."
}