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{
    "id": 1475657,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1475657/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 46,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. (Dr.) Murango",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13585,
        "legal_name": "Murango James Kamau",
        "slug": "murango-james-kamau"
    },
    "content": "Returns Bill, 2024. The Bill seeks to provide farmers with guaranteed minimum returns for their produce thus ensuring price stability in the agricultural sector. The committee also considered the Nuts and Oil Crops Bill, 2023 (Senate Bills No.47 of 2024) and received submissions from the Council of Governors (CoG), Nature Kenya and the Law Society of Kenya. The Standing Committee on Agriculture, Livestock, and Fisheries has established a practice of conducting public participation in counties. The committee believes in meeting the farmers in the counties. It had planned to conduct public participation in Kilifi, Kwale, Lamu, Bungoma, Busia, Nyeri and Kirinyaga counties. The committee commenced public participation in Kwale County. However, due to budgetary constraints, the committee is yet to conclude public participation in the remaining counties. These budgetary constraints have caused significant difficulties in processing of the business of the committee. Agriculture is a devolved function. The Bills before this committee concern the rights of ordinary Kenyans. When the committee considered the Mung Beans Bill, the committee met stakeholders in Kitui County in Tseikuru. On the Sugar Bill, (National Assembly Bill No. 34 of 2022,) the committee met the farmers in Kakamega, Bungoma, and Busia counties. The committee this morning resolved to suspend business until it is properly facilitated to execute its mandate. The committee participated in the workshop on the World Bank-funded projects in counties organized by the State Department of Agriculture in June 2024. These engagements are vital to ensuring that Senators remain informed and engaged in the development of policies affecting the agricultural sector and projects being implemented in counties. During the preliminary review, the committee considered a total of 17 statements. These statements addressed critical areas such as the use of harmful pesticides, delayed payment to dairy farmers, wheat seed shortages, crop insurance schemes, the postponement of election for the Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA) directors, the planned importation of sugar, vaccine production at the Kenya Veterinary Vaccine Production Institute (KEVEVAPI) and the distribution of subsidized fertilizer. The committee reviewed two Petitions, one concerning the Ethics Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) draft investigation into the West Kano Irrigation Scheme and others regarding the catastrophic maize disease that has affected farmers in Bomet County for the past 12 years. Mr. Speaker, Sir, in conclusion, I thank your office and the Office of the Clerk of the Senate for the continuous support accorded to the committee in executing its mandate. Lastly, I thank Members of the committee for their diligence and contribution during the committee activities. Attached herein is the status of the pending legislative business."
}