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{
    "id": 1088384,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1088384/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 273,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Chebeni",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13187,
        "legal_name": "Mercy Chebeni",
        "slug": "mercy-chebeni"
    },
    "content": "Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir. I also rise to support this Bill by Sen. Ndwiga. I think this is a very important Bill in this country. For a very long time, our coffee farmers have been at a disadvantage. The sector has had issues to do with beeping of prices, financial indiscipline, and climate change among other issues but nothing has been done in this sector. This has led to reduced productivity over time, massive financial losses in the sector and decline in performance of the sector generally. This is a timely Bill because the sector needed a complete overhaul. This Bill has just come to do that. It is going to give hope to coffee farmers in Kenya. There are various provisions in this Bill that I think are very key. First of all, this Bill seeks to separate the roles of the national and county governments. When I look at Clause 23, it gives the roles of the county governments. One of the main roles that it highlights is to maintain an up to date register of coffee farmers, nursery operators among other people. This is a neat way of doing things so that we know who is who and who does what in that sector. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, the other role of the county government is to offer extension services on coffee production. This is very important. Extension services are very important to farmers because it allows them to understand the general feeling of the coffee growing. These extension officers will help the farmers in solving problems that are to do with growing of coffee generally. When you look at the provision (g), it talks about enhancing security in coffee growing areas. Not long ago, I think there was an issue somewhere in this country where coffee was stolen. It is very important that we beef up security in coffee growing areas because this is a valuable crop. When you look at (h), it talks about monitoring and reporting of incidences of pests and disease outbreaks at the county level. That is also quite important so that we keep a record of that. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, when you look at Clause 37, it talks about establishment of a Coffee Research Institute. While there is one in place, but it is very important because this will exclusively deal with coffee challenges especially through research. It will ensure quality production of coffee and this will ensure that we achieve high grade of coffee in the country. Times are changing. We have technological and climate changes. Therefore, a research institute that will deal with these issues is very important and key in this country. It will advise the national and county governments on resource requirements when it comes to growing of coffee. It will facilitate the use of improved production technology among other things. It will also deal with research on coffee diseases. Therefore, that is a very important clause because research is key and important for the development of this sector."
}