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{
    "id": 1488430,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1488430/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 61,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Soy, UDA",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. David Kiplagat",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": " Hon. Speaker, pursuant to the provisions of Standing Order 44(2)(c), I rise to request for a Statement from the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Agriculture and Livestock regarding strategic food reserves in the country, particularly the management of maize reserves. Management of strategic food reserves is critical in ensuring national food security, particularly in times of crisis such as drought, floods or economic downturns. Maize is a staple food that plays a vital role in the nutrition and economy of our country. Consequently, proper management of maize reserves is essential to the country’s food security strategy. Each financial year, the Government, through the national budget, allocates funds to purchase maize to boost the strategic food reserves. However, in the Financial Year 2024/2025, due to budget constraints, the amount set aside for strategic food reserves was significantly reduced, which places the country at a risk of food insecurity. As the harvest season approaches in the North Rift region, farmers are concerned about the likelihood of facing unfavourable market prices for their maize crops, which may further worsen their financial position. In addition, the Kenya Meteorological Department has forecasted a looming La Niña phenomenon from October to December 2024, which may persist into early 2025, in most parts of the country. The maize production is expected to be poor over most parts of the country, with prolonged dry spells and cases of isolated storms expected. This situation may worsen food insecurity in the country, necessitating strategic focus on our maize reserves. Hon. Speaker, it is against this background that I request the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Agriculture and Livestock to report on the following: 1. Measures to be taken to purchase maize produce from the upcoming harvest so as to stabilise market prices and increase strategic food reserves. 2. Plans to be taken to dispose of approximately 750,000 90-kilogramme bags of old maize stock to make room for the new harvest. 3. Actions to be taken to settle the Ksh491 million in outstanding arrears owed to farmers by the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) for maize delivered over 120 days ago. 4. The level of preparedness by the Government to manage the predicted La Niña phenomenon and plans to mitigate its impact on food security. I thank you, Hon. Speaker. Because it is a matter of national importance, you could give opportunity to colleagues from the North Rift."
}