Entry Instance

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

{
    "id": 319115,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/319115/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 350,
    "type": "other",
    "speaker_name": "",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "I also want to talk about weigh bridges. Most of the farmers lose their cane in the transportation process from the farm to the factory. There are also corrupt people on the weigh bridges who manipulate the weight of the cane that arrives. But the loss on the way is quite a lot. Earlier on, we had insisted that the weighing of the cane be done on the farm or as close as possible to the farms. I would like to see a situation where the Government takes the responsibility of ensuring that the weighing of the cane is done as close as possible to the farms. If there is any loss between the farm and the factory, it is not the responsibility of the farmer. Currently, it is the farmer that pays a heavy price in that situation. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I also want to talk about research. I do appreciate that the amendment is trying to beef up the research section of the sugar industry. That is a very good idea. The development of cane seedlings is something that we should pursue vigorously to ensure that varieties which can yield more sucrose and cane are in place. Lastly, we have had a lot of problems in the areas growing sugarcane with regard to different factories fighting it out. Sometimes they hire goons who burn vehicles and do all manner of things because of cane poaching. This cane poaching comes about because when the factories make contact with the farmers, they do not take full responsibility whereas the sugarcane can delay in the farm for a very long time until it dries to the extent of being firewood. In such a case, the farmer loses, but nobody takes responsibility and yet the factory that had the contract with the farmer has not harvested on time. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I would like the Minister to put heavy penalties on the factories if they find that the factories are not harvesting the cane on time. With those few remarks, I beg to support."
}