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{
    "id": 1569207,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1569207/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 162,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Mwea, UDA",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Mary Maingi",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": " Thank you Hon. Deputy Speaker, pursuant to the provisions of Standing Order 44(2)(c), I wish to request for a Statement from the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Agriculture and Livestock regarding the status of rice importation into the country. Hon. Deputy Speaker on 26th May this year, it was reported that rice farmers in Mwea, Kirinyaga County are likely to suffer a loss of more than half a billion shillings, if the Government fails to intervene and purchase 5,000 metric tons of grain from their stores despite being full of grain sufficient for the country’s consumption. It was reported that the situation has been occasioned by the Government’s action of importing rice, which has flooded the market to the disadvantage of the local farmers. Hon. Deputy Speaker, a study conducted by the Sustainable Trade Initiative on Mwea Rice Growers Multipurpose in 2020, reported that about 80 per cent of rice grown in Kenya is from irrigation schemes established by the Government, among them being the Mwea Irrigation Scheme, which accounted for more than 70 per cent of the produce. Failure by the Government to purchase rice from the local farmers is likely to occasion a delay in planting for the next season, which is likely to delay or affect rice production in the next period. This is against the Government's agenda of reducing over-reliance on the importation of products and encouraging local production. The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor."
}