Entry Instance

HTTP 200 OK
Allow: GET, PUT, PATCH, DELETE, HEAD, OPTIONS
Content-Type: application/json
Vary: Accept

{
    "id": 1143693,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1143693/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 102,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Molo, JP",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Kuria Kimani",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13435,
        "legal_name": "Francis Kuria Kimani",
        "slug": "francis-kuria-kimani"
    },
    "content": " Thank you, Hon. Speaker. Pursuant to the provisions of Standing Order No.44(2)(c), I wish to request for a Statement from the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Agriculture and Livestock regarding the current high cost of fertiliser in the country. Hon. Speaker, facts from the current Kenya National Bureau of Statistics indicate that 70 per cent of Kenyans depend on agriculture to eke out a living, support their households and for subsistence. Further, agriculture is one of the biggest drivers of economies of growing rural towns like Turi, Mariashoni, Molo and Elburgon in Molo Constituency in terms of employment. Most of these farmers are small-scale farmers whose farming prospects are largely affected by a variety of external factors beyond their reach, including the cost of fertilisers. It is worth noting that a high percentage of the farmers avoid using non-organic fertiliser as the prices are prohibitive and those that can afford them end up with shrunk profit margins. In addition, fertiliser cost is way favorable and cheaper in our neighbouring countries than in Kenya. As a result, Kenyan farm produce end up being extremely imbalanced and uncompetitive in the market. Our traders in turn find it economically sound to import their goods of trade from our neighbors to leverage on higher profit margins. It is a fact that the cost of importing phosphate from the east, which is commonly used to manufacture phosphate fertiliser and which is extensively used by our farmers during the planting season, is comparatively high and the import trade is monopolistic in nature. It is against this background that I seek a Statement from the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Agriculture and Livestock on the following: 1. Could the Chairperson explain the discrepancy in the price of fertiliser in Kenya as compared to the price of the same commodity in our neighbouring countries? 2. What measures has the Government put in place to subsidise duty on imported phosphate? 3. What elaborate plans has the Ministry has put in place to provide low-cost fertiliser to farmers especially as we approach the planting season and provide a lasting solution to the high cost of fertiliser? Thank you, Hon. Speaker. The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor."
}