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{
    "id": 1179416,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1179416/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 2729,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Aldai, UDA",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Marianne Kitany",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "This policy, if implemented, will guarantee maximum returns. If any of these farmers sells their produce, they will know that the minimum they are going to get from their farms is A, B, C and D. This policy will also allow sustainability, not only for our farmers, but in terms of GDP as a country. So, this policy comes in handy and it has come at the right time because agriculture is devolved and the policy is still at the national level. So, the link between the national Government and the county government in terms of implementation of agriculture in this country will really come a long way in helping us have a proper infrastructure and a proper system that farmers will benefit from their agricultural produce. This policy also recognises some of the treaties that we have with some of the regional blocks. Many of the agricultural products that we produce go outside the country to international markets and yet, there are regional blocks here in Africa which could become our main markets. They do not benefit from our agricultural produce. I have the example of tea. I come from a tea growing area. Africa is a very good market for our tea. Yet, it is sold to other international markets. If we added value to that tea, it could actually get to the African table at a far better price for the farmer. This agricultural policy will help us. It will come in handy. When negotiating the treaties with other countries, the policy framework that has been put in place will help us, as a country, to benefit from our agriculture. Most of the agreements that we enter into, the farmers are forced to buy products that are way too expensive and the price that the farmer gets at the end makes it very uneconomical. As a country, if we have a policy like this, we will guarantee minimum returns and ensure that farmers get the inputs at a fairly good price and guarantee the kind of revenue they need to get at the end. So, I support this Sessional Paper. We look forward to the implementation of this policy so that the country can benefit and also the common mwananchi, the farmers, and especially those in Aldai can benefit. I thank you."
}