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{
    "id": 403659,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/403659/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 70,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Sijeny",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13127,
        "legal_name": "Judith Achieng Sijeny",
        "slug": "judith-achieng-sijeny"
    },
    "content": "Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, agriculture helps to reduce poverty and helps the economy grow. It is also the backbone of many other sectors, including the industrial sector. The reason I support this Motion is because Kenya will be headed into some danger zone where the country will continue to be poor and the inflation rate will continue to be high. That will certainly not make our country competitive. If the agricultural sector is not nurtured properly, then the farmers will cease to become competitive. They will not bring in competitive yields and will not be able to get modern equipment that will help them get bigger yields. The Brazilian Government had noticed this gap and, in fact, they increased their loan facilities and the supply of direct credit. Choosing to increase the interest rate has major consequences. It results in low agricultural output. We know that Kenya is basically an agricultural State. Many people, especially the poor, rely on agriculture. If a family is able to feed itself, it does not matter if they do not have large tracts of land, big industries or real estates. They should be able to feed themselves, pay school fees for their children and get good medical care. If the interest rates are too high, they could die. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, we have seen how the tea industry has suffered in the past. If we do not protect the poor who are the agriculturalists, we will lose it. We know that, recently, Kenya was blessed with discovery of minerals, oil and gas, but that is still a myth. We also know that titanium has been discovered at the coast, but still Kenyans have not realized the benefits. So, we are still majorly an agricultural State. Low agricultural output has a negative effect on the economy. Kenya is struggling so hard to maintain the inflation rate which continues to grow. If interest rates are not controlled, Kenyans will not be able to sustain themselves. Kenyans will not be able to expand the use of technology in the agricultural sector if they do not have incomes. The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposes only. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor, Senate"
}