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{
    "id": 132337,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/132337/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 426,
    "type": "other",
    "speaker_name": "",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "expend their limited budgetary allocation. I say “limited” because research has shown that 70 per cent of households in Kenya are involved in agricultural activities. If we consider this against what was allocated to the Ministry of Agriculture – Kshs13.4 billion – which represents a mere 1.6 per cent of the entire Budget, then we can only call it a fuss. If we want this Ministry to improve the welfare of 70 per cent of this nation and feed them, then we must reflect that on the budgetary allocation. This Ministry is also swimming upstream. They started just soon after the post- election crisis that we went through. Then, there were failed rains, climate change and global warming, and all other factors that make it very difficult for agricultural production. Against this, it would have been fair if this Ministry was allocated a little more than what they received. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, that notwithstanding, they have presented a very good proposal. However, I want to state that a few things did not come out clearly when I listened to how they intend to expend. First, I did not see what they have allocated to a very small sector that we call” urban agriculture”. This is becoming substantial because the youth and women groups in urban areas have become very enterprising. They have now formed groups that actually produce substantial amounts of vegetables and other food crops that are actually sustaining households. We want to see this reflected in their budgetary allocation or expenditure. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, again, I might not be an expert, but I have been wondering why we keep talking about rain and irrigation. Is there not a way that the Ministry can engage the private sector that has got the capacity to invest substantially, to bring in the kind of technology that can allow us to use ocean water, which can be used upcountry for irrigation and other purposes, even domestic? I know that it is very expensive, but it has been done elsewhere. We will put in a lot once and then this will sustain this country for sometime. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, again, the Ministry did not come out clearly on how they intend to support traditional farming practices. This can cushion us against hunger in the villages and rural areas. Think about that old woman who has been using one kind of farming method for years and has not fully conceptualized the new technology that we are trying to introduce. We must have a system of sustaining the traditional farming methods and encouraging our indigenous crops that are drought resistant and some that can be used, especially in the rural areas. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, it also did not come out very clearly on how the Ministry intends to convert the Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALs) to arable land, by other ways other than irrigation, for example, the introduction and support of drought resistant crops. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, with those few remarks, this Ministry is one of those that stand out as having a capable Minister who understands his mandate and with a support team that is giving him very good support. I beg to support."
}