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{
    "id": 1569760,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1569760/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 228,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Keiyo North, UDA",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Adams Korir",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "continuous training of farmers. Having active and vibrant extension officers would allow farmers to adopt modern technologies, which would help our country to achieve food sustainability in the long run and boost foreign exchange. The Government has put in place many agricultural programmes such as distribution of avocado and coffee seedlings. However, the transaction ends once the seedlings are distributed. The Government provides the seedlings but it does not follow up because we lack extension officers who can follow up to ensure that farmers plant the seeds correctly, which would in turn give them value for money. Another issue is livestock breeding. We want to improve our animal breeds, but where are the experts to educate farmers to ensure that they receive proper training, and ensure that all the necessary steps are followed? That will ensure that all the animal semen that is distributed by county governments achieves its intended purpose. The Kenya Kwanza Government initiated a very noble programme of distributing sub- sidised fertilisers. However, it is high time we reviewed whether the fertilisers being provided are yielding the intended results. We are investing significant resources into providing farm inputs, but we have not sat down to assess whether we are achieving what we want as a country. The Government is also building industrial parks to store produce supplied by farmers. Where are the agricultural products? Having extension officers at the grassroots level is a very noble idea. This initiative will help farmers and the country to achieve the goal of food security, so that Kenyans do not face starvation. While agriculture is a devolved function, there are many gaps. The county governments seem to care little about what happens after distributing seedlings. It is high time the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development established a direct link with agricultural staff at the county level to ensure that farmers receive the necessary support and training to enable them to meet their goals in the agriculture sector. The Bill is timely because we have the necessary infrastructure, including industrial parks and airports. For instance, we have a major international airport in Eldoret, but there is little or no produce to supply to international markets. The focus on agricultural development will help our country to achieve its agricultural goals. With those remarks, I support the Bill."
}