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{
    "id": 505380,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/505380/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 249,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Ndiema",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 1067,
        "legal_name": "Henry Tiole Ndiema",
        "slug": "henry-tiole-ndiema"
    },
    "content": "Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir. We are anxiously waiting for this Bill to be passed so that this sector is regulated. Today, some of the animal feeds that you find in the market is substandard and yet it is sold very expensively. There has all along been need for regulating the manufacture of animal feeds and distribution so that the farmers get value for their money and so that food production is enhanced. This Bill seeks to create a Board that will be advising the Government on all matters relating to fertilizers and animal foodstuffs. There has not been a Board hitherto, because the Principal Secretary is the one holding that power. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, implementation has been wanting and that is why I support creation of the Board despite the fact that currently there is a move to reduce the number of boards in this sector. But because of the central role that fertilizer and animal foodstuffs play as input in the agricultural sector, this should be an exception. A Board to regulate this sector should be formed. I know that at the appropriate stage amendments will be brought to improve on the Bill and particularly on the functions of the Board because this Bill proposes that the Board becomes a regulator as well as a player in the industry. We should decide whether the Board will play the two roles or only be a regulator. The regulatory role is more wanting than the business part of it and that is why I feel that it should be emphasized. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, the Act as it is now does not take cognizance of the changes that are there in the Constitution or the devolved functions because agriculture has now been devolved. It is necessary that such a Board, if formed, while it will be advising the national Government, it will also be facilitating the county governments to perform their function or mandate in the agricultural sector. This Bill also envisages promoting research on fertilizer to ensure quality and safety. Safety of agricultural inputs is very important especially in this era where consumers know their rights, want to ensure that what they consume is of a quality, that it is healthy or will not be harmful to their bodies and also that the products can be traced. This Board will ensure quality and safety of fertilizer and animal products. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, it will also advice on issues of procurement and promote manufacturing. For a long time, we have been importing fertiliser yet we are a big consumer of fertiliser in this region. We have a market here and in the neighbouring region such that if we had a manufacturing plant, we would not lack a market, we would create employment for our people and also save on foreign exchange that we spend. Petroleum products are normally the key raw materials for manufacture of fertiliser. In view of what is happening in the mining sector, that we are also going to get 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."
}