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{
    "id": 1049127,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1049127/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 147,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Likoni, ODM",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. (Ms.) Mishi Mboko",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 874,
        "legal_name": "Mishi Juma Khamisi",
        "slug": "mishi-juma-khamisi"
    },
    "content": " Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker. I support this Motion by Hon. Kassim Tandaza. At the outset, I congratulate and appreciate him for coming up with such an important amendment to this Bill. Achiote Crop, Mrangi or popularly known as Bixa, was introduced in the Coast region way back in 1970. That crop is disease free; it is drought resistant and it mainly grows in the Coast region in Lamu area and in Kwale, in an area called Tiwi. It is important to note that there is a small Bixa industry in Kwale County at Tiwi. But it is unfortunate that it is almost collapsing because it does not get any support from the Government and does not get advice, in terms of value addition and marketing. That crop has different benefits to the society. The crop, when harvested, can be used to create cosmetic products such as lipsticks. It can also be used to create cheese, margarine and dyes throughout the world. Other farmers can also use the crop as a buffer crop to distract wild animals from destroying their crops. Hon. Deputy Speaker, our traditional cash crops in the Coast like the coconut and the cashew nuts are scheduled crops. However, they are still at the Third Schedule where they do not get the benefits like the other crops which are under the First Schedule. This Bill wants to ensure that Bixa is put under the First Schedule. This is not difficult because the Bill does not attract any additional finances. If that crop is put under the First Schedule, it will have several benefits, including strategic advice in terms of value addition, financial support from the Government and ensuring that there is a steady market for the crops. That way, farmers can be motivated to continue growing such a crop. Through research, that crop can grow very well in the arid and semi-arid areas. In that sense, we can boost our economy by creating a Bixa industry where we can create job opportunities. Through the resolve of this Parliament, I appeal to the Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, because he has that power, to declare that crop as a First Schedule crop. We have challenges in terms of employment. We have challenges in terms of our economy because of the Covid-19 pandemic. If we can utilise the finances we have, through the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, to assist farmers who grow such kind of a crop, we will be ahead. We will also ensure that the Agenda Four of His Excellency President Hon. Uhuru Muigai Kenyatta, which talks about manufacturing, is fulfilled. This will be one of the industries which can be created in the Coast region. I support this amendment. I, once again, congratulate Hon. Kassim Tandaza. I thank you."
}