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{
    "id": 1347445,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1347445/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 317,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Tabitha Mutinda",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "Thank you, Madam Temporary Speaker. I rise to support the Tea (Amendment) Bill, 2023. I congratulate the Majority Leader for tabling this at a very important time. First of all, it aligns with our Manifesto as Kenya Kwanza on matters of agriculture as far as different cash crops are concerned. Tea is one of the key cash crops in this country that plays a very key economic role in the different counties that grow it. Tea is also the leading industrial crop in terms of its contribution to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). It is a very important commodity to our country, having in mind the duration that tea farming has taken place in this country. Madam Temporary Speaker, as I looked at the Bill, I can see that its focus is mostly on ensuring that tea growers are protected and there is less mismanagement of the tea growers by the different tea factories. Clause 13 (b) talks about the levy. In (e) it talks about how the levy shall be appropriated in different percentages. I have looked at Part A, which talked about 40 per cent to the board for income and price stabilisation. It also talks about 30 per cent shall be applied to the board for the furtherance of exercise of any functions of the power of the board. I feel that combined, that is a 70 per cent, which is now taken up majorly by the Board. I have noticed that only 10 per cent is applied to infrastructure development and 20 per cent to research. In my view, where we are to ensure that we have a high-value entity product, then the percentage for the infrastructure should be much higher. Since we are in 2023, machinery has changed and the infrastructure is more advanced. The higher they are advanced, the higher the technology and the higher the cost. Madam Temporary Speaker, if only 10 per cent will be set aside, the percentage looks a bit minimal, looking at what needs to be achieved. We are coming from having the old type of machine that has been there. Therefore, the Committee on Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries should have given more percentage to the infrastructure ranging between 20 to 25 per cent or even up to 30 per cent. The other issue is research. Like any institution or commodity, the issue of research is a key factor. It is through the expertise, knowledge and advanced training that should take place in the Tea Research Institute of Foundation. Research is key to bring to speed the different technologies, fertilisers and pesticides that are supposed to be used for agriculture by the tea growers to ensure we improve our tea quality. Madam Temporary Speaker, when the allocation is a bit lower, then we might not achieve the required standard. Although it is good, it is in place the 70 per cent in which is 40 per cent is taken up by the board while 30 per cent goes to the functions and the"
}