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{
    "id": 1179896,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1179896/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 302,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Orwoba",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "Ministry have done. Can we start coming out with results so that it is clear to the people of Kenya that the Government is doing something about food security? Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, we are in 2022. While we are talking about matters of drought and food security, we must embrace technology. There is a lot of debate and conversation around Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) and technology. It is a very simple fact that our population, not only in this country, but in the planet is increasing. Unfortunately, the land is not increasing. We must embrace technology. When we are talking about technology, it is not just about GMOs. Technology comes in many forms. We have Nanotechnology that is now being infused into agriculture. We have genetic engineering, which everyone is arguing about, we have agricultural technology where we are using machinery in terms use of ensuring that you use minimum inputs so that you can get maximum output of the farming and we have irrigation techniques. I think about all the water treatment opportunities that we must embrace so that in areas where we do not have the rainfall that is needed, we can practice some of the water treatment technologies like reverse osmosis; that is a form of technology. We can even look at integrated soil fertility management. We need to sensitize Kenyans that we cannot run away from technology; not in agriculture and food security. We must embrace technology. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, the question should be, is the technology safe? Are we also safeguarding the health of Kenyans? At the end of the day, we cannot be saying that we are rejecting GMOs and that we are not going to take technology. What is the other option? When we tell people that we are rejecting GMOs and that we are not going to import a, b, c, or d, I would like to hear what other options are being thrown at us. As I said, food security is about two things. We agree and accept that we are going to be intentional in increasing our production of farm produce or we throw our hands up and we say that we are just going to be importers of food. If we are going to be importers of food, we need to know where the money is coming from because we have to purchase and import that food. Unfortunately, our country does not have the option of relying on food importation. Therefore, we must have very important conversations with institutions that have been put together to push the agenda of food security. They are getting money from the Exchequer yet they are bringing no results. We are tired of theories, papers and research documents. What we want from the Government of Kenya is an actual plan. We need to see that of all the research documents and all the solutions that are out there, which one are we picking and implementing? On the issue of the Hustler Fund, I am appealing to the President to make special consideration for the youth who engage in agriculture and technology. Something has to be done to encourage and scale up those opportunities. I thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir."
}