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{
    "id": 1276249,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1276249/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 310,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Methu",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13581,
        "legal_name": "Methu John Muhia",
        "slug": "methu-john-muhia"
    },
    "content": "addressed urgently. It cannot be that after every bumper harvest, the country goes into a situation where people require food relief. It is sad that even now when some places have a bumper harvest, the Government is still distributing relief food to other places within the Republic. The country must invest solidly in our food reserve. As it is now, it is a good time in Nyandarua County that I represent in the Senate. We have harvested unprecedented quantities of potatoes, cabbages and carrots. However, it is sad that most of these commodities are perishable. Out of lack of storage for our produce, we are unable to store them for some time. Madam Temporary Speaker, we take cognizance of the fact that the Government has done a cold-storage plant in Ol Kalou. However, it is not enough because right now, a whole sack of 50 kilograms of potatoes in Nyandarua County is retailing at Kshs1,800. If we want to help farmers, especially those who produce perishable goods, we must invest heavily by ensuring that we prepare adequate and modern storage facilities for them to store their produce. We are happy that the Government of the day has committed that they will provide farmers with milk coolers so that they store the milk for some time. The reason why potatoes are retailing at Kshs1,800 in Nyandarua today, is because we are unable to store and sell them when the prices are good. The farmers are left with little or no option but to sell their produce at throwaway prices. Currently, in Nyandarua County, if a cow sees you headed to its direction carrying cabbages, it will run away because they are there in plenty. However, in a short while, two or three months down the line, the people will be waiting for relief food from the Government. Having gotten such a bumper harvest, two or three months down the line, we will be unable to feed the nation, which is a sad situation. Madam Temporary Speaker, I support this Statement. The Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries must move with speed and ensure that they sort out this problem."
}