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{
    "id": 105878,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/105878/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 407,
    "type": "other",
    "speaker_name": "",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "I want to commend the Minister for Agriculture for giving small incentives as far as fertilizer is concerned. Farmers put in a lot of effort last year and this year, despite the drought and, indeed, they produced what they managed to produce. These incentives should be continued. However, we, in Trans Nzoia, have always wondered why the fertilizer that was coming through Government incentives is not available in Kitale. But, if you went to Eldoret and in Moi’s Bridge, you would find plenty of it. We would like Kitale to receive this incentive of fertilizer, so that farmers can readily avail the product. As I speak now, many farmers have maize in their stores, but they are scared of taking it to the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) because the NCPB does not have enough funds. We have read that maize is coming from outside. How is it that maize is coming from outside Kenya when there is maize in Kitale and farmers are unable to deliver because the NCPB does not have enough funds? That does not add up. There is something wrong. I think we should ensure that we have funds to pay farmers. Climate change is a reality. Very few of us recognize that the drought we had last year was because of the global climate change. I need a lot of funds for my Ministry. When we talk about lack of food and water, this is because of the destruction of forests; destruction of the fauna that has taken place in the last 30 years. The Ministry of Environment and Mineral Resources and my ministry should be given enough funding, so that we can mitigate against climate change negative effects. It is only last year that our President had to accompany his colleagues to Copenhagen. Big stories were told there. All the leaders recognized the fact that we have serious negative impact on climate change. Every country should try as much as possible to take on board mitigation and adaptation, so that we can combat the effects of climate change. In my Ministry, we are talking about 10 per cent of people’s land being planted with trees. We are encouraging all the schools and institutions, every small farmer and big farmer in Kenya to plant trees. They must spare 10 per cent of their land to plant trees. That way, we will increase forest cover and have enough trees to bring rain, so that we and our animals do not die of lack of water. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, as I conclude, the road infrastructure in western and North Rift leaves a lot to be desired. Look at the road from Kisumu to Kitale; in the old days, I used to take 40 minutes to drive from Kisumu to Kakamega. Now, I take one hour and ten minutes. Look at the road from Eldoret to Kitale and to Lodwar. That road is completely finished and yet, these are the roads that farmers use to take their produce to the market place. I am imploring my colleague in the Office of Deputy Prime Minister and the Ministry of Finance to look very carefully at the network of roads in western and North Rift because this area is friendly and produces a lot of sugar, maize and has many voters. Since the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance wants to be the President of this country, look at this area and you will have many voters. I will be your main person in this area to ensure that as you look after my farmers, they will all vote for you. With those few remarks, I beg to support."
}