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{
    "id": 1379758,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1379758/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 154,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Mandera South, UDM",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Abul Haro",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": " Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. I support the Bill from the onset and thank Hon. Mary Emaase for moving it. The Chairperson has eloquently described the importance of cotton in this country. I cannot over-emphasise this. The cotton industry creates jobs in the textile industry if revived. The Chairperson also mentioned that cotton is a cash crop suitable for marginalised areas and is grown in about 24 counties, which is almost 50 per cent of Kenya. It is grown for its fibre and its products are used for many purposes, like making oil. It will surprise many that cotton fibre can be used to make flat panel TV screens. Cotton seeds can make plastic materials, explosives, and quality papers. Cotton cords can be used to make tyres. Cotton is also an environmentally friendly plant. Research has shown that growing cotton increases land use efficiency by 13 per cent and decreases greenhouse gas emissions by 39 per cent. It also reduces soil loss per acre by 50 per cent and water use by 89 per cent. Under the Kenyan Government Policy for Addressing Poverty, Vision 2030, cotton has been identified as a key sub-sector with the potential to benefit eight million people living in drier areas where it is grown. This is how important cotton is and why this Bill is important. I am happy that the Bill has clearly described the functions of the cotton industry. These functions are well thought-out, especially the regulatory process in terms of imports and exports. The Bill also talks about the promotion of the cotton industry, particularly in the diversification of cotton products, marketing, and technology transfer. I am also happy that the role of county governments is well described in the bill, especially the regulation and promotion and how farmers and traders will be coordinated within the counties. I only have an issue with Part V of the Bill. Clause 5 talks about registering several actors in the cotton industry, including the cotton grower. Why should a cotton farmer be The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor"
}