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{
    "id": 676892,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/676892/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 136,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. (Ms.) Odhiambo-Mabona",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 376,
        "legal_name": "Millie Grace Akoth Odhiambo Mabona",
        "slug": "millie-odhiambo-mabona"
    },
    "content": "As we know, this country is primarily an agricultural country. Other than tourism, the mainstay of this country is agriculture. We live in a competitive world and we must have a competitive edge both locally and abroad. This is why I support this Bill because it provides a framework for structured trading in agricultural commodities. It ensures efficiency, effectiveness and integrity of the process. It also helps address marketing challenges in the sector. Internationally, this is the way to go. As the Departmental Committee on Agriculture, Livestock and Cooperatives, we have just recently returned from Italy where we were attending a meeting of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO). One of the things that emerged from that meeting is that aquaculture is overtaking capture fisheries. One of the challenges that were faced is the issue of lack of regulation, lack of standards, effective and efficiency marketing, which is what this Bill is seeking to do. I know I have raised this issue with my Committee, but I want to put it on the Floor of this House for purposes of records, that not only should we do this for purposes of agricultural commodities, but this is the direction that we must go even in relation to fishing. If we do not go this direction, there are thousands of Kenyans, including Kenyans in my constituency, who are going to suffer from lack of access to food. For purposes of food security, it is important that we do not only look at this area, but we must also learn to diversify, especially because of issues of climatic change and global warming. The only other issue I want to address in relation to this Bill is if you look at the composition of the Council, even though the Constitution provides for the issue of one-third representation, the Bill does not provide for the one-third representation for members of the Council that are not government members. I have indicated that to my Committee and I hope the amendments were taken because I have been away. So, I have encouraged my Committee and if they have not done that, I will bring an amendment to ensure that we have one-third representation from those appointed outside the Government."
}