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{
    "id": 1179441,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1179441/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 2754,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sotik, UDA",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Francis Sigei",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": " Hon. Temporary Speaker, I rise to support this policy. I want to start by saying that I am a son of a peasant farmer from Sotik and I know the value of agriculture. I thank the Mover of this Motion because for the first time this House is addressing agriculture as a specific subject. For a long time, agriculture has had many challenges most of them manmade and others technical. I want to specifically speak on the issue of dairy farming. I went to school and my father who was a peasant farmer paid my fees. Dairy farming in the South Rift area has a lot of challenges. The cost of a litre of milk in Sotik is only Ksh30. It is a big irony to buy a litre at Ksh30 from a farmer and then sell half a litre at Ksh60. So, we must address the issue of pricing. Why should a farmer in Sotik be paid Ksh30 for a litre while someone else in Sotik Town buys half a litre packet of milk at Ksh60? This is a serious issue. I also want the Government to look into the issue of extension officers. When we were growing up, we used to see extension officers coming to our farms to advise farmers on what to do to increase productivity. The Government should address the issue of extension officers so that farmers can get the latest technology and innovations to increase production. Agriculture is the major source of employment and if it is improved it will employ many people. It is also a source of food security. Therefore, I support this Motion because it will address many issues in this country. I ask the Government to assist in research. In the lower side of Sotik Constituency, we have maize disease which has affected our economy for the last 15 years. There was Covid-19 in the world, and research was done and vaccines were developed. Yet, the maize issue has never been addressed. I support this Motion and ask that we look at the issue of milk coolers so that farmers can take their milk to the market in the morning and evening. We have a problem in that milk is transported from Sotik to other parts of the country. We ask investors who want to invest in Sotik to come and buy the milk, process and add value to it so our people can benefit from employment. Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. I support the Motion."
}