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{
    "id": 1464509,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1464509/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 390,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Tigania West, UDA",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. (Dr) John K. Mutunga",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "that it needs protection. It has a great potential to become a key cash crop for those areas. So, we need targeted interventions so that we can explore the potential in the production of this bean to develop those areas. It is a drought-tolerant crop that does well under very low rainfall regime. Hon. Temporary Speaker, the other main objective is to facilitate and develop a framework to regulate and promote the development of the mung beans and entire industry for competitive production locally and internationally. It will also promote the productivity of the mung beans and generate higher incomes for the people who will be engaged in this process. It will also facilitate modernization of mung beans farming techniques, general modernization of the industry and for cost control and production improvement. It also seeks to provide a framework for implementation of marketing strategies for mung beans in those areas within Kenya and outside this country. This is not a Money Bill. It is important for Kenyans to know that this Bill comes in under the regulation of the Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA). We are not creating an institution in this Bill. It does not propose a new institution. Instead, it proposes that responsibilities be shared between the county governments and the national Government. Therefore, it does not introduce other costs. The AFA is tasked with the development of policies and standards, monitoring of implementation of policies and also collating, collecting and receiving data from the various counties and building the capacity of the counties for purposes of improving production and productivity. This entity has a Food Directorate. Mung beans fall under it. Therefore, mung beans will be managed under the Food Directorate. The counties will be required to provide extension services for mung beans production, enforce regulations and standards, and market them both locally and internationally. Therefore, it is advantageous to have mung beans because they give us extra sources of income. Mung beans are locally known as dengu, which are widely grown in Kenya. There are several varieties of mung beans, which have been improved over time. Two main varieties are worth mentioning: the K20 mung beans, which matures in between 80 and 90 days after planting; and N26 mung beans – also known as nylon – which matures in between 60 and 65 days after planting. There is a potential for production of mung beans in most parts of the country. I can cite a few counties where mung beans can do very well. These are Kitui County, Makueni County, Tharaka-Nithi County, Machakos County, Embu County, Taita Taveta County, Meru County and Kirinyaga County. They can also do well in parts of Western Kenya, which share the agro-ecology of the counties I have mentioned. While it is produced as a dry green in Kenya, other forms also occur. Sprouts, noodles and a paste can be produced from mung beans. This is common in the Asian countries. The plant can be used as both human food and a livestock fodder or feed, or green manure after it has been harvested. However, mung beans have not been categorised as seeded crops under Section 7 of the Crops Act. Therefore, they do not enjoy a special status or attention by the national Government and the county governments. That is why we have brought this particular legislation so that this crop gets due attention and be considered an important crop for those areas and in many other areas. A lot of work has been done by the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organisation, which has developed three early maturing varieties that are highly productive. There is need to promote dissemination of these technologies, innovations and management practices to various Kenyans so that they can apply them to produce mung beans. A survey that was done at the national level in 2020 made recommendations. One of them was that the county governments should provide subsidised farm machinery and equipment like ploughs, harvesters and dressers to maximise yield and bring down the cost of production of mung beans in counties where they do very well. Another important 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."
}