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{
    "id": 1569696,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1569696/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 164,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Kirinyaga County, UDA",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Njeri Maina",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": " Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. I rise to support this Bill. While agriculture is at a transformational crossroads, it is unfortunate that we seem to be progressing in some ways and retrogressing in others. The role of agricultural extension officers is crucial. Often times, we ask ourselves how to engage young people and close the generational gap in terms of engagement in regard to farming. Agriculture contributes around 20 per cent of our GDP, forming a critical sector in the Kenyan economy and employing over 40 per cent of the general populace. It is, therefore, important that we are intentional about addressing the key concerns of climate change and food insecurity in Kenya. With the advent of Artificial Intelligence (AI), a click on a phone can capture a photo of an ailing plant, and that application can analyze what the crop needs. As we talk about agricultural extension officers, let us embrace technology and AI to provide critical support to farmers, thus enabling them to maximise output. We have applications like Tumaini, a Kenyan application, developed by our young people who have acquired proper knowledge. Unfortunately, since agriculture was devolved, the provision of agricultural extension services has been lacking, and these brains often go to waste. This will also be an opportunity to create employment. Universities continue to offer these courses, but there is no market absorption due to lack of implementation. Activating agricultural extension officers and taking advantage of social media and AI will be transformative and will ensure that the country achieves food security. Hon. Temporary Speaker, many Members have said that we benefit from agriculture because our parents were primarily farmers, and the proceeds from farming enabled us to go to school. What will we say of the next generation, which is highly learned but cannot be absorbed by the market? We all know the state of the economy in terms of creation of employment opportunities. Agricultural extension officers will help subsidise production costs and analyse climate change issues, and advise farmers on crop adaptation. Some areas that used to support certain crops when we were growing up can no longer sustain them due to climate change or changes in the composition of certain vital soil ingredients as a result of pollution. We have often complained about the use of harmful pesticides in farm inputs. You find in a certain area, a locality in the village, the prevalence of certain types of cancers are very high. Scientific data has been availed to indicate that this is as a result of the use of harmful pesticides. When we take advantage of collating scientific data and developing applications, farmers in the village, including my mother who is now in her 60s and has a smartphone, can get critical information that is timely and analysed. With AI, once you feed 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."
}