Entry Instance

HTTP 200 OK
Allow: GET, PUT, PATCH, DELETE, HEAD, OPTIONS
Content-Type: application/json
Vary: Accept

{
    "id": 754192,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/754192/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 172,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. Wangwe",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 2543,
        "legal_name": "Emmanuel Wangwe",
        "slug": "emmanuel-wangwe"
    },
    "content": "Thank you, hon. Deputy Speaker. I rise to support this Motion by Hon. Wakhungu; I will give it a good look. Agriculture is the backbone of this country. The land in Kenya is quite good and the soil is rich, but the degree of alkalinity varies from one area to another or from one zone to another. We need to consider the area at which we are doing our agriculture and the fertilizer we are going to put into the particular soil of the area. Hon. Deputy Speaker, looking at the production in Trans Nzoia vis-a-vis production in the entire western Kenya, we have to consider the type of fertilizer applicable in Trans Nzoia as compared to that which is applicable to the lower western Kenya. But we are speaking as if we all know how to use the DAP for planting in every zone, regardless of the particular soil. This has resulted into the food insecurity that we are facing at the moment. Should we have a board such as the one suggested by the hon. Member, we will be able to do soil sampling, produce the right fertilizer for the right zone, do the marketing of that fertilizer, give it to the farmers on time and get the right yield on time. Looking at the Motion as moved and should we embrace this idea by the hon. Member, it is going to clear the issue of food insecurity that we have. It is also going to give us the commercial status that Kenya is eyeing; it wants to become a commercial hub in East Africa. We should set the pace at which we are going to do our business. We should look beyond what we are able to see. Should we adopt this Motion and convert it into the Bill, we will see our country grow into commercial production of fertilizer, which is required in the East African region. There is no factory of such magnitude as to compete with us in the region. Therefore, it is not only Kenya whose economy is agro-based, but the entire region relies on agriculture to produce food crops like maize and other crops. Thirdly, I would want to second this Motion because the Jubilee manifesto, as it was presented here by the President during the State Opening Address, looks at industrialization as a core agenda that the Government has for this country. We look forward to setting up a board that will eventually build for us a factory. By building a factory and managing it, the board will help us acquire industrial status. In this way we will not only be industrialized but our youth will also be employed in the factory. The marketing and supply chain of every activity will benefit the youth. We shall solve very many problems engaging in one activity. To conclude my contribution on this Motion I would say that, although we are considering fertilizers and other inputs, we want to have a look at a broader perspective. We should not only produce fertilizer for farming. Look at the example of Mumias Sugar Company where I come from, it imports a lot of fertilizer and surcharges farmers. It gives the fertilizer to them in form of loans and at the end of the 18th month the loan accrues interest. The farmers are paying the high cost of fertilizer and also meeting the financial cost at the end of the 18th month. So, if we come up with a factory, it will assist in both production of food and support the farmers who grow other crops. Therefore, I beg to support the Motion. The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor."
}