Ganze MP Teddy Mwambire drums up support on bixa farming under crops amendment bill

Ganze MP Teddy Mwambire. PHOTO | FILE

 

Ganze MP Teddy Mwambire drums up the support of the crops amendment bill brought to the assembly by Matuga MP Hon. Tandaza Kassim Sawa. 

 The legislatures were discussing to amend the Crops Bill 2019.

The parliament was discussing Bixa farming that does well in arid and semi-arid areas.

Lamu, Kwale, Kilifi are the top among other arid counties that can produce Bixa.

" It is a drought-resistant and grows most at the Coast. We need to pass this bill so that the people in Kwale and other coastal counties can enjoy the benefits, " MP Mwambire said.

The move comes after residents of Lamu criticised the county leadership over Bixa farming saying the only company -Bixa Tiwi company - is the only company in Kenya.

" We have been farming Bixa. We have to travel to Tiwi in Kwale to sell the produce. The price has dropped significantly. We want the counties producing Bixa review and help farmers, " says a Lamu resident who is a Bixa farmer.

Likoni MP Mishi Mboko supported the bill saying the crop has many benefits and can motivate farmers.

Hon Mwambire drummed up support on the amendment on Bixa under Crops amendment bill in the parliament.

Cashewnuts, Pineapple, Coconuts among other crops the MP asked the parliament to re-consider them to be first scheduled crops.

" The crop can help in reducing unemployment at the Coast. The Government need to invest from storage, production to manufacturing, " he said.