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{
    "id": 392129,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/392129/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 142,
    "type": "other",
    "speaker_name": "",
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    "speaker": null,
    "content": "Therefore, there is need to do a lot of work in addition to what Sen. Muthama has proposed. He is only thinking of subsidizing fertilizer in order to boost the production of these crops. He has given us a focus and a focal point in expanding the thinking about our agriculture and hence proper production and value-addition. I think the Government should come up with a research on all the soils of this country in every part of the country. We know that because of skewed policies, certain areas were referred to as coffee production areas, Moi tea zones o r sisal zones, because they were protected by the system. We need a proper research on all the types of soil all over the country and communities advised on what can grow best where. I know in Migori County we have the highlands which can produce a lot of tea and coffee, but the establishment of factories has been made in such a way that even if we produce this coffee, the cost of transportation of the raw material to the market is so high and prohibitive in the production of this crop. Some of those areas produce even better coffee than what is produced in Kiambu County. We know that tea is not only produced in Kiambu and Kericho, but there are many other areas that can produce this crop. We also need to establish Government incentives that will revive cotton factories. When the late Jaramogi was elected to Parliament for the second term, he came up with a Bill that really enhanced the production of cotton and establishment of cotton factories. But that was, again, stepped on by opening up the importation of mitumba or second- hand clothes market, and that industry died. We can still produce cheap clothes and linen that will compete well with the second-hand clothes if we enhance the production of cotton in all the areas. Literally, the whole of Western Kenya can produce quality cotton. We also have the seed cake that comes as a by-product in the production of cotton, that is very nutritious for dairy farming. That, again, can be a resource that can be sold out to other parts of Kenya, where dairy farming is very much practiced. Madam Temporary Speaker, therefore, as we look at this Motion critically and actually agree with Sen. Muthama, we need to come up with a bigger amendment on the already existing Acts on agriculture, so that it is encompassed into those Acts and we expand the same. Thank you, Madam Temporary Speaker."
}