Entry Instance

HTTP 200 OK
Allow: GET, PUT, PATCH, DELETE, HEAD, OPTIONS
Content-Type: application/json
Vary: Accept

{
    "id": 1525602,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1525602/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 268,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Wamatinga",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13582,
        "legal_name": "Wahome Wamatinga",
        "slug": "wahome-wamatinga"
    },
    "content": "If we have to sustain ourselves in terms of food, we must embrace the current technologies and best practices in farming, but most importantly, we ensure that farmers are provided with the right seeds. The right seed means that it would be able to adapt to the climatic condition, withstand the pests, and diseases that can affect it. Madam Temporary, Speaker, is no longer rocket science. Today, with biotechnology, it has become possible to eliminate threats in the genetic formation of a seed so that some of the diseases will not occur. Unfortunately, this sector has been held captive by some cartels. This remains a major challenge. I challenge every member of this Senate that it is the high time we divorce ourselves from this sectarianism in politics and look at the challenges that this country is facing. Let us ask ourselves a valid and genuine question: Where do we want to see this country in the next 30 years? I am happy I sit in the Committee on Agricultural, Livestock and Fisheries where we are able to fundamentally engage and change some of the approaches and practices that we have so that we can make agriculture, not just agriculture for subsistence, but as a main income earner. It has been mentioned here that sometimes the price of macadamia had collapsed. However, we were able, as the committee, engaging with the relevant authorities, to ensure that the prices were stabilised. From my personal research in some of the major consumers in the Asian countries, for example, in the Indonesian countries, macadamia still remains a very, very good crop if managed properly. However, the biggest challenge that we have in this country is at times we lack a strategic approach in the way we sell our crops. Most importantly, in the way that we manage the bumper harvest that happens to come across the country. Therefore, the farmers end up losing from their drop in prices. Having said that, I commend the petitioner who brought up this petition. I commend the committee that I sit in. This should be a journey that will open doors for many other approaches that we should have. In addition, as we are doing that, we would ask ourselves fundamental questions. The organizations we have that are supposed to be doing research, how well funded are they? How functional are they? How well do they work with other institutions of higher learning? Do they just import technology or do they implement homegrown technology that will suit Kenyans? It is important to underline that the funding that is given to research institutions at times falls too short that they are not able to do any meaningful change. If we have to harvest the products of good research, then we must also be prepared to invest in it properly. As I wind up, let me say that it is very important that we realize that agriculture is not only important to provide us with food security, but it could be one of the answers that we are looking for to ensure that we create meaningful employment. Nevertheless, it should not stop just by growing the crops. It should not stop by just harvesting the crops. It should go on. We must do value addition and we must, therefore, interrogate. Along the value chain, where can we be able to create opportunities for the younger generation, which is attractive enough for them, which is able to earn them 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."
}