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{
    "id": 1251059,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1251059/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 379,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Veronica Maina",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "have watched Nyandarua farmers pouring. It is because they were not in a position to add value to their milk and produce cheese or butter. The option is to become the net exporter of milk products to the region and the world. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I am looking at how even crops can be tackled under this objective. I propose to the Senator to see how to enrich this Clause to help farmers to have infrastructure that improves market access. If farmers in Kenya had access to markets or were able to store food after harvesting, then we can talk about having enough food reserves to sustain us during the dry season. I have also noted there are many legislations in this agricultural sector. For instance, the tea sector has a host of legislation. I am looking at the link between this Bill and the other legislations. What I am seeing here is a wide framework that would manage and control the whole agricultural sector and have capacity building for farmers. I found the Bill only mentioned the mung beans, which is a good thing because we can improve the mung beans. However, I asked myself if there is an amendment to include other species of beans and crops that do not have any legislative framework. This would enrich the Bill and make it better and easier for farmers. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I have also looked at the provisions that have been put for the technology part of it. With developed IT and the fibre optic cable having been supplied to our country, we can take advantage and ensure that any upcoming legislation commits the Government at both levels, to supply the use of technology to farmers. With this, farmers will be able to share information amongst themselves. That brings the issue of whether farmers have smart phones or what kind of a system will be used. Can the digital spaces that are provided in the markets be provided near the farms where farmers can access this information? How best can that information then be harnessed and sent to the rural areas where agriculture happens? Another thing that would need to be addressed by the Bill is to do with competitive markets. There are brokers who find their way even after all these efforts have been put in place. This legislative framework is coming to support farmers and affirm the capacity building for farmers through extension services. Therefore, how do we tackle the brokers under this legislation? Are there any clauses that look at how a crop moves from the farmer, right up to the market? Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, how do we manage the value chain, such that after all the efforts at the production stage, we will still have those efforts replicated when it comes to competitive markets? We should use all available channels to ensure farmers access markets without any hindrance from the brokers. This is a very good Bill. If all the proposals that have been given can be taken on board through amendments, then we would have a better scene within the agriculture sector. I would like to look at Clause 27, which provides for the fund of this service. As I read this Clause, I asked myself whether the fund is administrative, or it goes down to subsidies for farmers. If you are talking about improving productivity, the fund is silent. Clause 27(1(a) and (b) states that- The funds of the service shall consist of-"
}