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{
    "id": 1483003,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1483003/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 167,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Wajir South, ODM",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Mohammed Adow",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": " Thank you very much, Hon. Speaker. Hon. Speaker, pursuant to the provisions of Standing Order 44(2)(C), I rise to request for a statement from the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Agriculture and Livestock regarding the status of strategic promotion and full-scale development of dry land agriculture in Kenya. Hon. Speaker, approximately 75 per cent of our country's landmass consists of arid and semi-arid lands, and are often referred to as ASAL regions. Despite this, there has been a significant and disproportionate focus on agricultural investment in the wetlands, while the immense potential of dry lands remains under-utilised. As the effects of climate change continue to worsen, resulting in unpredictable rainfall patterns and extended droughts and dry spells, it is increasingly clear that Kenya cannot rely solely on rain-fed agriculture. This raises the critical question as to why there is no focus on more resources, expertise and policy attention to harnessing the potential of our dry lands through modern agricultural practises such as large-scale irrigation, the development of drought-resistant crops and innovative water harvesting techniques to achieve food security. I believe the answer to Kenya's quest for food security today lies in its arid lands. Hon. Speaker, it is against this background that I rise to request for a statement from the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Agriculture and Livestock on the following: 1. The policies and strategic plans that are aimed at promoting dry land agriculture in arid and semi-arid lands and clear frameworks, if any, that are in place to guide investment and interventions, including the development of water infrastructure for irrigation practices; 2. Initiatives that the Government has put in place to support farmers in ASAL regions, including provision of knowledge and tools that are needed to engage in sustainable and productive agricultural activities; 3. Specific steps that are being taken to address the challenges of water scarcity, poor infrastructure and the high cost of accessing inputs in dry areas, particularly roads and water supply infrastructure; and, 4. Lastly, the provision of a report on the current agricultural policies that align with the National Development Agenda, particularly the Vision 2030 and the Big Four Agenda with respect to food security and how the Government intends to balance investment between wetland areas and dry land regions to ensure equitable and sustainable agricultural growth across the country. I thank you, Hon. Speaker."
}