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{
    "id": 608146,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/608146/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 331,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Ongoro",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 125,
        "legal_name": "Elizabeth Ongoro Masha",
        "slug": "elizabeth-ongoro"
    },
    "content": "Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir. I will not belabor my points. I am in support of this Bill. It has been said before and I think everybody knows that apart from maize in this country, potatoes are ranked number two as a staple food. In terms of the consumption rates, this crop has the capacity to not only make us food sufficient by feeding the nation, but also in creating wealth as a cash crop. However, it is really sad that the growing and the marketing of this crop – especially the marketing – and the prices of potatoes have been left in the hands of middlemen. That obtaining scenario means that the farmers on the one hand, who are the producers, are suffering and the consumers on the other hand are also suffering. This scenario also means that the middlemen can hoard potatoes at will when they want to raise the prices and they sell at a price determined by themselves. This is a scenario that eventually discourages potato farming because the farmers are not getting value for their efforts. Therefore, I support the creation of a National Council, which should be directly charged with the responsibility of ensuring production, storage, marketing and even the quality of the potatoes that will reach the markets. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I do not wish to repeat all the points that have been raised. While I am in support, I would like to encourage us, as a nation, not to be a retrogressive society. I support the creation of boards very much because they deal directly with their mandate, which in this case, like the Potato Board, will be to ensure increased production of a high quality potato yield and ensure that farmers and consumers alike get value for their money and efforts. But we cannot be creating boards 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."
}