HTTP 200 OK
Allow: GET, PUT, PATCH, DELETE, HEAD, OPTIONS
Content-Type: application/json
Vary: Accept
{
"id": 194779,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/194779/?format=api",
"text_counter": 121,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Mr. Wamalwa",
"speaker_title": "",
"speaker": {
"id": 148,
"legal_name": "Eugene Ludovic Wamalwa",
"slug": "eugene-wamalwa"
},
"content": "Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I beg to move the following Motion:- THAT, in view of the devastating effects that post 2007 election crisis had on formers particularly in the Rift Valley Province and other affected areas; aware that many farmers' capacity to service AFC and ADC loans have been severely affected by these situation and are unable to access further financial support from these institutions in order to develop their farms and enhance production; acknowledging that agriculture still remains the backbone of our economy and that our national food security is threatened by the crisis; conscious of the necessity to empower farmers so as to enhance production in view of the impending global food crisis; this House resolves that the Government writes-off all AFC and ADC loans owing to the said institutions by farmers in the Rift Valley Province and other areas affected by the post 2007 election violence. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, this country has just come out of an unprecedented national crisis. When the ties that bind this nation were stretched to breaking point, the people who bore the brunt of this crisis were, indeed, farmers. The Rift Valley, that is the bread basket of this country, bore the brunt of the crisis. As a result of the violence, over 1,200 Kenyans lost their lives, and over 350,000 Kenyans were displaced. Many of them were farmers, and many of them lost their crops that were in the stores. About 3.5 million bags of maize were burnt and destroyed during this violence. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, as a result of insecurity and violence in the country, many farmers were unable to access their farms. Those who were able to access their farms were at the same time May 7, 2008 PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES 869 unable to plant, because of the high fertiliser and seed prices. We had a situation where fertiliser prices doubled from Kshs1,850 last year to about Kshs4,000. The cost of ploughing also doubled from Kshs1,200 to about Kshs2,000. As a result of this, many farmers were unable to plant this year. Many farmers, who were able to access their farms, planted less acreage than they normally do. Many farmers could not afford the certified seeds or fertiliser. Therefore, many resorted to planting without using fertiliser. As a result, farmers' crops have not done well. Germination is evidently poor. There is poor crop population, hence there is going to be poor yields. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, this will translate into a very serious food deficit in this nation. As we look at the situation in the country, we realise that this year, Kenya will be unable, because of this situation, to realise its full potential in agriculture. Indeed, experts indicate that only about 60 per cent of that potential might be realised this year. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, the farming situation in the country is very bad, because farmers were unable to be assisted by the Government in stabilising the fertiliser prices. We have a situation where the Government must now, after failing to intervene by subsiding fertiliser and cushioning farmers against adverse effects, as a matter of urgency, look at other interventions in order to help the farmers. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, the crisis is evident. It is a national crisis. It is not only national, but is also global crisis. We have seen indications of food shortage in other countries, not only on the African continent but also beyond. We have seen food riots in Egypt. There have been food riots in Senegal. Yesterday, I watched on national television, food riots in a neighbouring country's capital, Mogadishu. This indicates that the situation is getting worse and Kenya will not be spared. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, in view of this crisis, other countries have moved to put in place emergency measures in order to combat the situation facing them. I was pleased to read in the"
}