HTTP 200 OK
Allow: GET, PUT, PATCH, DELETE, HEAD, OPTIONS
Content-Type: application/json
Vary: Accept
{
"id": 1183815,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1183815/?format=api",
"text_counter": 223,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Sen. (Prof.) Tom Ojienda, SC",
"speaker_title": "",
"speaker": null,
"content": "thrive, we need the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) to work, for us to have our strategic grain full with crops, until next year. Farmers who produce maize for commercial value are compensated and are able to buy inputs such as fertilizer and till their land for the next crop with ease. It means that the Government needs to inject sufficient funds into the NCPB. They should ensure that the strategic grain reserve has sufficient maize, so that in the event we do not have favourable weather in the next season, there is enough maize and food, to feed Kenyans. We appreciate that ugali is a delicacy. It is a basic food for most Kenyans. I think maize or ugali is consumed across all the regions. We should not stop at maize. Production of beans and other crops like rice in Mwea and Ahero will contribute to food security in this country. Government must, therefore, inject enough capital to ensure that we expand areas that are currently under the growth of rice. It should also increase the acreage for production of rice, both in Ahero and Mwea. If that is done, we will have sufficient grains, such as rice, to feed this country. Thirdly, we must harness the strength of other regions that practice other agricultural and livestock activities. We must ensure that livestock thrives even during bad weather. That will call for a working scheme such as a well-managed Kenya Meat Commission (KMC) that will provide market for animals. It will then ensure that we do not waste or loose animals to drought like I saw during this season. Livestock were lost in Kajiado and other counties because of bad weather. We need to also harness and take advantage of our rivers. We should ensure that we have sufficient dams. The Government will have to put money in dams, for the benefit of our farmers. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I take this opportunity to thank His Excellency the President, Hon. William Samoei Arap Ruto, for investing Kshs1 billion, towards research in fisheries in Kadibo, Kisumu County. It will go far in ensuring that the fishing sector, and fish production is enhanced. It will also contribute towards food security in this country. A few weeks ago, Kisumu County lost a lot of fish in cage fish farming, either because of scientific reasons or bad fish feeds. I raised a Question in this House, in that regard. The Government must put money in every region, where we have resources, to ensure that all farmers, be it in fish, maize, livestock and all others including sugarcane are taken care of, so that farmers become liquid enough to invest in other sources. That they are able to cater for themselves and their families. They should have surplus to sell. We should not get to a point where we address crisis after another. Food security is important in this country. It is important for the Government to focus on the strength of every community. Even among the Meru, let us have enough resource investment, in a sector as vibrant as Miraa. That way, then intercropping will lead to some form of sustainability, in a sector that is important to the people of that region. I support. I thank you for bringing up this debate. We cannot, as a country, be speaking to issues that we spoke about 20 years ago. In 1984, the world was united during famine in Ethiopia. We are facing the same crisis, 25 years later. That is unacceptable. This country and the Government must stand up and protect its people for the sake of not only today but intra-generational and inter-generational interests so that this"
}