Entry Instance

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

{
    "id": 332523,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/332523/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 422,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "48 Thursday, 22nd November, 2012(P",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": ") Thirdly, something that both farmers and people in business complain about is what I will call bureaucratic nonsense. Bureaucracies are created when they do not really add value to productivity that is an albatross around the neck of productivity. So, this is a welcome Bill. I would like to congratulate the Minister for so doing, particularly those of us who are in the sugar industry who have been extremely uncomfortable in the manner in which the Sugar Board has operated throughout the years and its effect on sugar production, innovation and introduction of various value addition methods in the sugar industry. It has achieved literally zero. If anything, re-development and non-development has been the experience of many sugar cane farmers and those involved in the sugar industry. The second and last point that I want to make is the point that relates to Section 22 of the Bill which addresses rules on preservation, utilization and development of agricultural land. One of the issues why Kenya has been going backwards in terms of agricultural production is the laxity with which we deal with agricultural land. There is apparent freedom that has been given to farmers to choose which crops to grow and when to grow them. This is due to the weakness we have developed over the years with the extension workers, that people involved in agriculture cannot improve agricultural methods and increase productivity because they are using the soil in a wrong way or where the soil is now tired and cannot grow certain crops, people were not being involved in the rotation of crops, thus punishing the soil further. This particular section of the Bill, No. 22 (2) (“a” up to “f”) is perhaps one of the most innovative elements in this Bill that I would like to refer to. If you look at No. 22(2) (d) which says:- “Without prejudice to the generality of sub-section (1), rules made thereunder, may regulate the kinds of crops which may be grown on land. (e) Provided for controlling the erection of buildings under the works on agricultural land”. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, just around Nairobi, you have seen how real estate has invaded high potential agricultural land going to Kiambu side thus depriving Kenyans of very valuable land for agricultural productivity. If there was regulation, Nairobi in terms of real estate should have developed towards Athi River or Magadi in much more marginal land in terms of agricultural productivity than we have experienced. Therefore, I want to congratulate the Minister and according to our order, finish my contribution. I beg to support."
}