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"content": "farmers who do not have the benefit of Agricultural Extension Officers (AEO). This tree can earn our country a whopping Kshs3.2 billion when the local farmers do not access any funds and are experiencing those harsh conditions. However, it is shocking that this enormous potential has not been protected by successive governments and administrations. In my opinion, coconut farming has been neglected and the coconut industry in Kenya is not being exploited to its full potential. Successive governments have failed to recognize and exploit this massive opportunity. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, even globally, we know that coconut industry is a mainstay of several countries which have been ranked as the top ten coconut producers. These are Philippines, Indonesia, India, Brazil, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Mexico, Vietnam, Malaysia and even our neighbouring country, Tanzania. It is very interesting to note that our topography and climatic conditions are not far from these countries. I recently visited Philippines. The amount of budgetary allocation to the coconut industry is enormous. They attach a lot of importance to coconut farming because of the revenue it generates to their economy. It has been said that you have to feed the cow that produces the milk. I am shocked that this country, with all the research, with this kind of knowledge, we have been left out because these ten coconut producing countries collectively produce and account for over 54,700 tonnes of coconuts per year. That is approximately 85 per cent of the entire global production. Kenya is not counted amongst them. Why is that the case, you may want to ask? Why we are not ranked amongst them? The blame game must stop. We, as a nation, have failed through successive governments and administrations to come up with clear policy and legal framework to support coconut farming. We need to support the processing of coconut products and their marketing both locally and internationally. We need also to provide civic education to our people so that they can understand the importance of this crop. Indeed, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, the closest that the Government ever got anywhere near taking coconut farming seriously was when the former Permanent Secretary, one Mr. Romano Kiome, while inaugurating what was referred to as the initial Coconut Development Authority Board (CDAB). Its mandate amongst others was to regulate the industry and offer advice to the Government for planning purposes. This is what he said:- “The board should immediately come up with a rational budget to be included in the revised 2007/2008 and 2008/2009 financial estimates.” Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, no further action has ever been taken to date. That was as far as the Government implemented its policy on coconut farming. To the best of anybody’s knowledge, the board is as good as dead because there is no authority. There is no board that can operate without adequate funding and support from the Government. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, while conducting my research in support of this Motion and in support of the tree of life, as I fondly refer to it, I was absolutely shocked that amongst other known uses, coconut milk, which is commonly referred to as madafu, has extensive medicinal attributes and values. For example, this drink taken averagely has the ability to kill viruses that cause things like influenza, herpes, et cetera . It kills bacteria that cause ulcers, throat infections, urinary tract infections, gum diseases and cavities, pneumonia and the rest. It also has the ability to kill fungi and yeasts that cause 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."
}