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{
    "id": 608152,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/608152/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 337,
    "type": "other",
    "speaker_name": "",
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    "speaker": null,
    "content": "Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, as I am talking today on this Bill, I am one of those farmers growing potatoes and I know the problems that these farmers are facing. I want to call upon the county governments to look into the issues of these farmers. They have been suffering and I want to request the county governments to assist them by setting aside funds to facilitate the construction of a very big store where these potatoes will be stored. We shall have people who will be responsible for production, marketing and even the kind of supervision that is needed in the management of these products. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, potatoes are both a food crop and a cash crop. We are facing problems in the agricultural sector. Maize farmers are facing problems because of diseases and this is the only crop that farmers are surviving on, helping them to pay school fees for their children. So, it is very important for the national Government to take into consideration the formation of the National Potato Council to look into the issues facing the farmers. It is high time that both the national and county governments took into consideration the issues facing the farmers because they are the majority, considering that agriculture is the backbone of this country. We, as a country, cannot stand without food or if do not empower farmers. So, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I fully support this Bill. I know that we are currently having a problem on the issue of packaging of potatoes. We are so happy as leaders and as Senators representing farmers and Kenyans that after this Bill is passed, the package will be 50 kilogramme. This will be of benefit to the farmers and they will be able to practice what we call kilimo biashara . Besides that, there will be value addition. At the moment, the farmers of this country are losing a lot of money because they do not add value to their produce. I know that the moment this Bill is passed, farmers will be able to come up with very big stores in every sub-county to store their produce in a central place and package them the way they want. I hope that the Government will come in handy in order to assist them to have a standard package of bags so that the farmers will not be exploited. I fully support this Bill and call upon fellow Senators that at the time of voting for the Bill, I kindly, in advance, request them to pass it because it will benefit potato farmers. Thank you."
}