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{
    "id": 1425576,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1425576/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 192,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Kibwana",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 277,
        "legal_name": "Kibwana Kivutha",
        "slug": "kibwana-kivutha"
    },
    "content": "Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I beg to move that the Nuts and Oil Crops Development Bill (Senate Bills No. 47 of 2023) be read a Second Time. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, this is long overdue. This Bill will be significant in the nuts and oil industry. The industry needs a strong and a robust policy. It is time we spoke about coconuts, cashew nuts and other nuts as well. We have had Bills for coffee and tea crops, but we do not discuss about the coconut crops. This Bill intends to promote globally competitive nuts. When we talk about coconuts, I can only look at Azam products. When I go to our stores or supermarkets, I hardly find coconut products made in Kenya. I have bought Azam or other products. You cannot imagine that Azam products originate from Kenyan products. They go to Mombasa, get coconuts and process their products. Sometimes, they take them to Malaysia and back to Tanzania. It is sad that us Kenyans are unable to support our own cash crop. I will look at the benefits of coconuts. We from the coastal region use coconut milk for cooking. Coconut is also used as medicine and their husks make ropes. Their sticks as well make brooms. The wood from the coconut plant is used as firewood. I also have some stools made out of coconut wood. We also use coconut shells to steam food or make porridge with. The coconut water is quite refreshing when it comes to reducing weight and other benefits. The Bill establishes the Nuts and Oil Crops Development Board, a body corporate with perpetual succession and a common seal whose functions regulate and promote the development of the nuts and oil crops industry. It may make recommendations to the Cabinet Secretary and oversee the implementation of strategies, plans and policies on these crops. The Bill promotes the diversification of nuts and oil crops and also products and by-products. It will also promote the marketing of nuts and oil in this country. We will be taking pride in them, just the way we take pride in coffee and tea. One time I was in Dubai and I was eating some cashew nuts. I kept on thinking that they were sweetest cashew nuts I had ever eaten. I wanted to know the manufacturer and where the nuts came from. My shock was that they were made in Kenya. They were the best cashew nuts I had eaten. However, where do our local farmers go? They work, do all the best they can and the nuts are exported, but they hardly enjoy their labour. I remember the late President Magufuli promoting cashew nuts. Right now, in Tanzania, you will find that cashew nuts are all over. They have been regulated and their farmers are enjoying. This Nuts and Oil Crops Bill is going to promote the marketing of nuts and oil crops in Kenya. It will also establish linkages and local international research institutions to conduct scientific research and investigations on this. It is going to collect, collate and disseminate information on the cashew nuts on the nuts and oil crops industry. It will regulate the marketing and exportation of nuts, oil crops products and by-products to conform with the quality of food standards recognized in the international market. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, it will also coordinate capacity building training for young people. Once this Bill is enacted, our youth will be empowered. They will get jobs. The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Director, Hansard and AudioServices, Senate."
}