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{
    "id": 1525574,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1525574/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 240,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Olekina",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 407,
        "legal_name": "Ledama Olekina",
        "slug": "ledama-olekina"
    },
    "content": "registration system to facilitate the timely approval of seed varieties. The problem we have now is that a cartel heads KEPHIS. When the basic seed approval process takes years who are we protecting? We are definitely not protecting our farmers, but the people who introduce seeds such as maize and beans. They do not want any other variety to be introduced that can adjust to the different changes in our climate. My Bill, which is already being send for pre-publication, will address these issues. I was so happy when I read this report because it is like we are intertwined. We were sitting down with the Committee on Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries and looking at the prayers. If you read this petitioner's prayers, they are simple. They are asking us to make sure that any seeds sold to maize farmers are seeds that do not have any diseases. When I introduce my Bill, you will see that I have taken that into consideration. It is now imperative that we try to separate because a lot of seeds come from abroad. We have KEPHIS, which should provide a service. However, I am a firm believer that the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBs), which is fully equipped, can ensure that the certified seeds, are good for this economy. The problem is that when you have one Government entity that is tasked with approving seed varieties and inspecting them, believe it or not, there is always room for mischief. This is because quote-unquote; they are the alpha and the omega. They are the ones who make all the decisions. Madam Temporary Speaker, it is time for us to listen to what is happening on the ground. Make sure that any seed varieties that are sold in this country are seeds that are clearly labelled and you can follow them. We should now ensure that whoever sells seeds that have some form of disease pays suffers the consequences. The petitioner is seeking some form of support or compensation. We need to encourage and educate our farmers that there are insurance policies that can protect their crops. I believe we are all farmers here. The distinguished Senator from Bomet County, Counsel Hilary Sigei, recently harvested his wheat. Since we had a crisis in the country, all he did was to store it until we had a situation where he could sell it. All that was brought by the fact that when Cabinet Secretaries meet, they do not have a picture of what is happening on the ground. Therefore, decisions are not made locally, but elsewhere so that farmers continue to suffer. Madam Temporary Speaker, it is important that we encourage innovations to develop local seeds before any seeds are imported from outside the country. Secondly, before any wheat or maize is imported, we should make sure that there is absolutely no wheat or maize in this country. I dare say that sometimes because of business interest, some people will sell seeds that will ensure that there is a shortage of maize in the country. This is because they import millions of metric tonnes into this country because we are a consumer economy. We must change to becoming a producer economy. We should be producing and selling. Listen to this, Madam Temporary Speaker. It is a shame that because of all these challenges we are facing in the wheat sector, out of 100 per cent of the wheat consumed in this country, the wheat that we produce in Narok, Uasin Gishu and Nyandarua counties 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."
}