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{
    "id": 1250993,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1250993/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 313,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Tabitha Mutinda",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "Clause 32 empowers the county government to enact county-specific legislation that can set out the criteria for registering extension service providers within the respective county. Clause 32(b) and (c) states that- “Each county government may enact county specific legislation setting out- (b) criteria for the issuance of a license to an applicant within the respective county; (d) process of determination of an application for registration or issuance of a license” Extension officers existed before and then they ceased to exist. I am acknowledging that because as I spoke to some of the Members regarding this Bill, they mentioned that they had relatives who used to be extension officers on the ground. For instance, they handled issues to do with livestock and would be a phone call away. Some of the Members have enjoyed the benefits of having extension officers at the mashinani level. They are important because they will help us increase the market share for our products. There is a lot of brokerage in between for most of the commodities we export. Farmers are doing the hard work, sweating and going to all lengthy to ensure they have the product from the farm. However, there are no fruits for these farmers. They are demotivated and lack morale. We need to maximize on revenue collection in this country. When we have qualified, competent and trained experts with technical know how of different agricultural sector; ranging from the agricultural by-products in terms of the food and livestock sector, then we will improve our agriculture sector. This will ensure we improve food security in this country. Also, we will diversify our staple food. These are difficult economic times. People have talked about unga . This is like the only product we have in our country. In our Kenyan language, we call it ugali. It seems like the only product that we can discuss. Extension officers are able to advise on different staple foods that we can grow in our beautiful country. Crops like cassava and arrow roots are crops that when germinated can be improved to give us different products. We have flour from coconut in the Coast Region. If we invest in this product, we will have different staple food so that we do not rely on one product. It is time we diversified our staple food. Jobs will be created when the Bill passes and the extension officers start their work. With those few remarks, I beg to Move that the Agricultural and Livestock Extension Service Bill (Senate Bills No. 12 of 2022) be now read a Second time. I call upon senior Sen. Cherarkey to second."
}