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{
    "id": 774386,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/774386/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 233,
    "type": "other",
    "speaker_name": "",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "As the Speaker in the County Assembly of Nakuru, we passed a law that required the weight of a potato bag to be no more than 50 kilogrammes. However, immediately we passed it, a person went to court to stop its implementation. We now have farmers sorting out their harvest, but instead of putting them in one bag of 50 kilogrammes, the bag is sewn into two so that you have a bag double my size. Sometimes, its size is more than 11 feet and it is sold at the cost of a 50 kilogramme bag. I believe this Warehouse Receipts System will help farmers to store their harvest, sell it at the right time and make more money. This Bill will go a long way in developing an institutional framework that will also help in the improvement of food security as well as access to regional markets for Kenyan stakeholders. We are aware that Kenya is a member of the East African Grain Council, The Alliance of a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO), the World Bank food security sector, among other bodies. With the enactment of this Bill, we shall be able to tap more into other markets outside of our country. These markets will help our farmers reap more profits from their produce. Once our farmers deliver their produce, they will get receipts. They can use those receipts as their collateral and access credit facilities to improve their farming activities. This will be very helpful to small scale farmers who at the moment cannot access credit facility. What has been happening in our areas is cash-based activities. With the enactment of this Bill, farmers will access these facilities using their warehouse receipt as collateral. The Bill will also help in making sure that when produce is stored in warehouse, its quality will always be maintained. At the time of sale, farmers will be able to get more from their produce than it is at the moment. When we talk about grain, we come across farmers who, for example, sell their produce maybe at ten or fifteen per cent below market value. This may be due to the moisture content in the grain because of poor storage facilities. However, with this system, we shall be able to avoid a lot of that and add value to the produce of the farmers of this Republic. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, the Bill will also eliminate the challenge of uneven distribution; from food oversupply during the bumper harvest to food scarce and insecure areas. With the system the Bill will create, it would be easier to maintain good quality as well as quantity of the stored commodity. This can be traded across the areas so that those that have overproduction can also supply to those that have scarcity of food. This should lead to a lot elimination of food insecurity that we have been facing as a country. I support this Bill and look forward to a time when we, as a Senate, will put the interests of our farmers before party interests. We, as legislators, know very well that when we debate this Bill during the Third Reading or Committee stage, opportunities will be availed to us to bring any changes or amendments that will enrich this Bill. We should stand with the counties and support Bills that will help our people improve their livelihoods. I support."
}