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{
    "id": 305875,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/305875/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 497,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Mr. Njuguna",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 20,
        "legal_name": "Peter Njuguna Gitau",
        "slug": "peter-gitau"
    },
    "content": "Madam Temporary Deputy Speaker, in supporting this amendment Bill, I would like to request, by observation, that it is important that more funds are invested in research. When we invest well in research, better seeds and plants will be generated from those research institutions. Secondly, the researchers in those institutions must be paid well, so that they are motivated. Madam Temporary Deputy Speaker, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) is doing very well in terms of research. We have seen them doing well in banana tissue culture development. If all the universities in this country are funded well and their programmes bear fruit, this country will go far in terms of food production. The Prime Minister, a few minutes ago, talked about irrigation schemes that are to be done in North Eastern Province and other parts of this country. Those irrigation schemes require quality seeds. This being an agricultural country where farmers are really working very hard, if farmers are given those seeds, they will be able to create the necessary jobs and employment for the youth, thus bettering security in this country. Madam Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, currently, farmers are going all the way to Rwanda to look for the modern beans which yield high production. Why would farmers from Kenya go to that country? Therefore, it is important that seed generation and quality production must be addressed properly. Kenya can also be an exporting country in terms of seeds and plant production. We are surrounded by countries that require our efforts and investments. They form a huge market that we must be able to take advantage of. As we now engage in the new counties come 2013, it should be imperative for the Ministry to make sure that those counties will be provided with better seeds and plants, so that poverty levels will be reduced in this country. By investing more in the Ministry of Agriculture, this country can soon be self sufficient in food production. The issue is whether the food prices which keep going up will come down. Therefore, it is a high time that the Ministry was supported well. If the Ministry is supported well the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) capacity will also be improved because farmers will produce more to sell to the Government and even for export. With those few remarks, I fully support this amendment."
}