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{
    "id": 362849,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/362849/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 67,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. M’uthari",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 1576,
        "legal_name": "Joseph M'eruaki M'uthari",
        "slug": "joseph-meruaki-muthari"
    },
    "content": "Thank you, hon. Deputy Speaker. I rise to support this very important and timely Motion. We are aware that agriculture is very important, and that fertilizer is also very important. We know that many times, the problem with crops is not so much of water stress but is related to fertilizers. We are aware that those countries which have low consumption fertilizers are food insecure. As a country, if we cannot feed our citizens, we cannot even claim to be independent. It is a shame that 50 years after Independence we still cannot feed ourselves. One of the problems we have is that we give functions to people who are not capable of performing them. The NCPB is already overwhelmed by the matter of handling grains. Therefore, they do not have time to think strategically as far as fertilizer is concerned. As a country, many times we complain about lack of money but the problem is not lack of money. The problem is how we spend the money that we already have. Where do we put our priorities? The amount of money that this country spends every year on purchase of relief food is enough to invest in the establishment of a fertilizer factory, so that the fertilizer can be accessed by farmers at affordable prices. Hon. Deputy Speaker, there has been debate about subsidy. We have to be truthful to ourselves. There is no country in the world that has developed because it has been supported by another country. Yesterday, some hon. Members made reference to countries like Malawi, which is dependent on external support. I do not think depending on external support is the way forward. The money that we spend on purchase of relief food can be used to subsidise the farmers. If farmers are subsidised to enable them acquire fertilisers and other farm inputs, we can be food secure. We can also process our agricultural produce, market them and get more money. So, after the passage of this Motion, the Mover should go ahead and come up with a Bill for the establishment of the proposed board, so that it can take up the function of supplying farm inputs to farmers. We have to do first things first. If we address the issue"
}