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{
"id": 1510469,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1510469/?format=api",
"text_counter": 105,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Konoin, UDA",
"speaker_title": "Hon. Brighton Yegon",
"speaker": null,
"content": "provision of emergency livestock feeds, provision of tracking water communities and human use, strategies supporting the treatment for livestock, improve pasture production, storage sheds and development and rehabilitation of water pans and boreholes. There is also the digital extension service. The Ministry has rolled out the e-extension service to ensure the dissemination of agricultural technologies. The e-extension service is aimed at reaching out to over 7 million farmers. Through the various apps, farmers can get real- time access to information, weather updates and market prices for support of crop production, manage their farms and connect with the buyers and suppliers. There is also the promotion of drought-tolerant crops. The Ministry is collaborating with county governments in promoting drought-tolerant crops like green grams, cow peas, pigeon peas, millet and dry land maize in both ASAL and non-ASAL counties. The ASAL counties received 395 metric tonnes of assorted relief seeds like rice, maize, beans, green grams and cow peas worth Ksh91,622,000. The target counties were Makueni, Machakos, Meru, Tharaka–Nithi, Kitui, Lamu, Isiolo, Wajir, Bungoma, Kakamega, Taita Taveta, Tana River, Mandera, Garissa, Marsabit, Baringo, Kwale, Nandi, Siaya, Laikipia, Kisii and Elgeyo Marakwet. The assorted tree seedlings like avocado, mango, macadamia, coconut and cashew nuts worth Ksh524,770,000 were distributed to both ASAL and non-ASAL counties. The beneficiary counties were Embu, Meru, Kiambu, Lamu, Kilifi, Makueni, Kitui, Baringo, Bomet, Marsabit, Wajir, Laikipia and Samburu. On access to financial services and credit, the Government, in collaboration with the private sector, has made significant strides in enhancing agricultural productivity through access to credit programmes like the Kilimo Biashara Programme, which provides low-interest loans to farmers, thus facilitating access to necessary inputs like seeds, fertiliser and equipment. There is also the crop and livestock insurance programme. The programme has benefited 16 counties including Kitui, Makueni, Tharaka–Nithi, Samburu, Marsabit, Kwale, Machakos, Embu, Mbeere North, Mbeere South and Meru. About 200,000 smallholder farmers have benefited. Question No.2 sought an explanation as to why the Government allocates substantial resources for relief food annually, but minimal or no resources for specific measurable, achievable, realistic and time-bound smart food security programmes in ASAL regions. The Government has been allocating substantial resources to relief food for food security programmes in ASAL regions. The Ministry has allocated resources to various programmes that are geared towards addressing food security in ASAL regions. However, there is no allocation of resources to mitigate risks that are associated with food and nutrition crises. The Ministry is spearheading the development of a national preparedness plan for the food and nutrition crisis in collaboration with stakeholders. Response number three is a comprehensive report on all food security and drought resilient projects with corresponding budgets by both the Government and donor-funded projects that have been implemented or are ongoing in North Horr Constituency, and other ASAL regions. The Government approved funds for payment of salary arrears for employees of State-owned sugar companies. However, the funds are yet to be released due to lack of Exchequer. The funds will be released as soon as the money is available. Response to question four is a comprehensive report on the status of sourcing a strategic partner to invest in the restoration of the company to profitability, hence improving the welfare of smallholder sugar-cane farmers and employees of Sony Sugar Company."
}