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{
    "id": 1472714,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1472714/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 75,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. (Dr) John K. Mutunga",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "which millers and farmers make submissions touching on cane production and sugar-cane processing costs. The submissions are considered while determining the price of sugar-cane. The other issue that the Member needed clarification on was plans to review and potentially reverse that price reduction in light of its negative impact on the livelihoods of farmers. The response is that the Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture and Livestock Development appointed the Third Interim Sugar Pricing Committee on 16th August 2024 and the Committee held its first meeting on 21st August 2024 where sugar-cane prices were reviewed to Ksh5,000 per tonne. The final request from the Member was on the long-term strategies to stabilise sugar- cane prices and ensure fair compensation to farmers. These are the responses in terms of the strategies. First, is to conclude the review and gazettement of the Crops (Sugar) (General) Regulations, 2020 to provide for the setting up of the Sugar-cane Pricing Committee. The Regulations were rejected by Parliament because of inadequate public participation. The review process of the Regulations is ongoing and it will be gazetted once public participation is completed. The second response is in view of the operationalisation of cane testing units which make it possible for payment to cane farmers to be made based on sucrose content. The Agriculture Food Authority (AFA) is undertaking public participation on a quality-based cane payment system which is QB-CPS Regulations of 2020. Once the regulations are gazetted, the Sugar Directorate in collaboration with the cane testing services will work to ensure reliability and consistency of sucrose content measurement; thereby, contributing to transparent and cane pricing mechanisms. Third response is development of a mechanism for sharing proceeds. The Sugar Pricing Committee is supposed to work on a mechanism of equitable share of proceeds from disposable sugar by-products between millers and growers. This will create a collaborative and sustainable relationship in the sugar-cane industry and will be achieved through the operationalisation of cane testing units. The final response is that seed cane multiplication and distribution will take place at the Sugar Cane Research Institute which has 27 new cane varieties. The Government is working on a mechanism to undertake multiplication and distribution of early-maturing, high-yielding, pest and disease resistant, and high-sucrose content cane seed varieties. May I also add that provision of farm inputs like subsidised fertilisers to improve yields and earnings to farmers is also in the package? Thank you."
}