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{
    "id": 505382,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/505382/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 251,
    "type": "other",
    "speaker_name": "",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "oil in the region, this has come at the appropriate time. We have the mineral, manpower and capacity, as a country, to manufacture. This Board will advice and promote investment in the area of fertiliser manufacture. It will also ensure that fertiliser and animal foodstuffs reach the farmer at the grassroots level. Currently, fertiliser, especially the subsidized fertiliser purchased by the Government does not reach the farmer. It reaches the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) depots which are not widely distributed in this country. Where they are, they can only be in the county headquarters. Small scale farmers, those who need two or three bags of fertiliser cannot afford to go and queue to purchase the little fertiliser that they require. They fall prey to those who want to sell fertiliser at very high prices. So, the subsidy that we are providing to farmers does not achieve the desired goal of particularly assisting the small-scale farmer. I believe this Board will ensure that fertiliser reaches every village, of course, working with the county governments. The amendments will be brought, I believe at the right stage, where county governments will be involved. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, the composition of the Board as envisaged in this Bill will involve professionals and stakeholders in the fertiliser industry. We note that the Board being formed here under this Bill is specifically for fertiliser. It does not include animal foodstuff. I believe at the right stage, animal food stuff should also be a business of this Board. We also feel that the composition of the Board could be adjusted in a manner that it does not appear to be centralised, that counties are involved in a way in ensuring that the Board is properly constituted and represents the interest of the counties because as the Senate, that is our business, to ensure that counties are represented particularly the farming community, researchers and so forth. With those few remarks, I beg to second the Bill."
}