Entry Instance

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

{
    "id": 195819,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/195819/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 17,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Mr. Mbiuki",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 79,
        "legal_name": "Japhet M. Kareke Mbiuki",
        "slug": "japhet-kareke-mbiuki"
    },
    "content": "Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I am not justifying the high cost of fertilizer. I was explaining the genesis of the problem, so that I can go ahead and explain why the cost of fertilizer has really shot up. The Government is in control. It has extended a credit line of Kshs850 million to the NCPB, so that the Board can be a market player in the fertilizer industry. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, at the moment, the NCPB has imported 12,500 metric tonnes of the CAN. I would like the hon. Members to appreciate the fact that this problem started during the planting season. As it is, we can only be able to caution farmers when it comes to top-dressing fertilizer. That is why the Government has taken the initiative of importing top-dressing fertilizer to the tune of 12,500 metric tonnes in addition to its current stock of 105,858 bags. Our immediate concern is the top-dressing fertilizer, and we are planning to reduce their prices. The current market price is Kshs2,250 per bag of 50 kilogramme, and we intend to sell it at Kshs1,650. This is the price that has been prevailing in the market. Our immediate concern is to caution the farmers when it comes to top-dressing. As a long- term measure, the Government has taken the initiative to fund the NCPB, so that before the next planting season in October, we will have brought in enough consignment of DAP and other types of fertilizer used in planting so that at the end of the day, the NCPB will be an equal competitor to the current players in the market. The biggest reason why we have been having a problem here is because of the current curtails in the market. At the moment, we only have two major suppliers of fertilizer, namely, Mea East Africa and Airfreight East Africa. That is why we are bringing on board the NCPB to be an equal competitor. April 24, 2008 PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES 665"
}