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{
    "id": 977192,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/977192/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 320,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Konoin, JP",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Leonard Yegon",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13391,
        "legal_name": "Yegon Brighton Leonard",
        "slug": "yegon-brighton-leonard"
    },
    "content": "The problems the coffee industry is facing are similar to the ones the tea industry is facing. The genesis of the problems the Coffee Research Institute is facing are due to lack of funding. This is similar to the problems that the Tea Research Institute among other research institutes are facing and that is why there are many concerns. One of the concerns is that the last variety of coffee released by the Coffee Research Institute as in 2010. Since then there has been no new variety in the market. This is a cause of real concern especially to farmers because we need contemporary seedlings and diversification. Also, laboratory equipment at the Coffee Research Institute are obsolete. There are other problems that have been witnessed. For example, there is lack of modern irrigation infrastructure for coffee nurseries. The Coffee Research Institute has 17 scientists against an establishment of 30 scientists. Also, the total workforce at the institute is only 223 employees and two-thirds are over the age of 55 years. So, in a short while they will be retiring. This is a cause of concern for the Coffee Research Institute and this industry. The Coffee Research Institute produces only 100,000 seedlings of Ruiru 11 seedlings per year, whereas the demand is 1.5 million seedlings per year. This shows shortfall in terms of production of seedlings. That is why we have to give this institute proper funding so that it can do its work. The National Taskforce on Coffee Sub-Sector Reforms reviewed the entire coffee value chain and identified areas that require intervention and made recommendations to address these challenges, but these recommendations have not been implemented and that is why we need the Government to come in. The Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organisation (KALRO) conducts scientific audit on efficiency, effectiveness and economies on technologies and processes within research institutes. We encourage KALRO whenever they are lobbying for funds to ensure they lobby for more funding for these research institutes like Tea Research Institute and Coffee Research Institute. Thank you, Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker."
}