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{
    "id": 206400,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/206400/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 124,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Mr. Obwocha",
    "speaker_title": "The Minister for Planning and National Development",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 356,
        "legal_name": "Henry Onyancha Obwocha",
        "slug": "henry-obwocha"
    },
    "content": " Thank you, Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir. I intend to be fairly brief. The following is the Government's response: I want to thank Prof. Ojiambo for showing concern for Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALs). The current Government is highly-concerned about their development. The ASALs have remained largely unexploited considering the existing opportunities in the medium to low potential zones. It is, therefore, a reality that these areas, indeed, offer potential for future development which the nation can depend on, not only in the agricultural sector, but also in other key sectors such as the manufacturing and meat processing, mining, energy and tourism. 3540 PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES August 29, 2007 Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, we do recognise that ASALs cover about 80 per cent of Kenya's total land surface and supports approximately 20 per cent of the human population, in addition to over 80 per cent of the country's livestock production and 65 per cent of the country's wildlife. The population in the region depends on subsistence farming. However, the level of poverty and experience that they have in food insecurity is a concern to the Government. The livestock sector accounts for 90 per cent of the employment and more than 95 per cent of the family incomes. Most of the livestock that is slaughtered in most of our urban centres originate from these areas. Other than cattle, Kenya has the fifth highest camel population in Africa after Mauritania, Sudan, Ethiopia and Somalia. This is a handy animal whose potential has not been fully utilised. The Government recognises the potential of ASALs as highlighted in the Economic Recovery Strategy (ERS) and development of the ERS programmes for North Eastern Province, that is, Isiolo, Marsabit and Moyale, as a first step. This programme has been expanded to other areas with a view to opening up these areas and fully exploit the untapped potential in the ASALs. The key development initiatives currently target human resource development, production, marketing, drought and food security, proper land tenure, natural resource management, infrastructure development and security. The aim here is to improve the livelihoods and build human development capacity as well as that of the community to improve their incomes."
}