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{
    "id": 305878,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/305878/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 500,
    "type": "other",
    "speaker_name": "",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "The success of any season’s crop depends on good quality seeds. It depends on how the seed manufacturers prepare the seed, so that the farmer can access good quality seeds. Madam Temporary Deputy Speaker, last year we were treated to very poor quality seeds; there were seeds in the market which were not certified. However, because there were no seeds in the country we had no option but to plant what was available. The end result was poor harvest. We shall continue having severe hunger in this country if we do not address this. I want to thank the Minister for having taken this bold move to protect the Kenyan farmer. I would also like to urge the Minister that before any company exports any seed within our region or outside the region we first ensure that there is enough for our farmers. We know how much we need as a country. Laws alone may not be enough to do this, but if we become patriotic, as Kenyans, and support the law that has been put in place then we shall succeed. This year we witnessed a very poor crop in the South Rift because of the poor seed which farmers got. Who will now pay the farmer who suffered a loss, yet we are charged with the responsibility to plan on behalf of Kenyans? I wish to say that these farmers have suffered a big loss. The seeds which they were given were not resistant to diseases. We need good research. We need to develop seeds which can resist diseases or viruses that attack our maize. We have undergone a big loss. I want to thank the Minister because it is not about making very big statements everywhere, which people may believe, but is about making good laws and being close to the farmer. This is more important than the big meetings and rallies which people hold and say they are working very hard to develop agriculture in this country. Madam Temporary Deputy Speaker, we want seed manufacturers who are in the market to respect and give the farmers the right seeds, if at all they are licensed. For those who are not licensed we want the seed quality control in place to do thorough inspection in the fields where crops are grown as they are later processed into seeds. Experts should also visit the vendors who sell these seeds to the innocent farmers of Kenya. With those few remarks, I beg to support."
}