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{
    "id": 217995,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/217995/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 45,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Mr. Kimunya",
    "speaker_title": "The Minister for Finance",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 174,
        "legal_name": "Amos Muhinga Kimunya",
        "slug": "amos-kimunya"
    },
    "content": "Mr. Speaker, Sir, the Government will also strengthen the Kenya Medical Supplies Agency's (KEMSA's) procurement capacity. The specific reforms will include; improving supply 1832 PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES June 14, 2007 chain management of public health resources, establishing capacity within the Ministry of Health to monitor KEMSA's procurement function and, strengthening the supervision of medical supplies to rural health facilities. Mr. Speaker, Sir, turning to agriculture and agricultural productivity, agriculture is key to the realization of a hunger-free society, which is one of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). In this context and also being one of the growth engines for Vision 2030, the Government will continue to implement a wide range of structural reforms aimed at improving efficiency and productivity in the sector. These reforms will be targeted towards encouraging value-addition in agro-processing and making agriculture the catalyst for our economic transformation and prosperity. To achieve this broad objective, we will, in the medium term:- (i) transform key agricultural institutions into complementary and high performing entities that facilitate private sector agricultural productivity and output expansion. (ii) we will also facilitate access to input services for farmers and pastoralists in Kenya to achieve world class benchmarks in productivity, including access to affordable fertilizer by our farmers; a project that is currently ongoing. (iii) further, we will develop irrigable areas of Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALs) for both crops and intensified livestock. (iv) we will improve market access for small holder farmers by facilitating the establishment of aggregators, processing, packaging and branding of our agricultural export product. Mr. Speaker, Sir, as an initial step towards transformation of our agriculture, I have increased budgetary allocation to the sector by 20 per cent, from Kshs24.9 billion in 2006/2007 to Kshs29.8 billion in 2007/2008. These resources will be deployed mainly to:- (i) expand disease-free zones and control of vectors to improve quality of livestock; (ii) roll out, in consultation with local farmers, a more practical and cost effective extension service methodology; and lastly, (iii) spearhead biotechnology research to increase food productivity and self reliance. Mr. Speaker, Sir, in addition to increased resources to the sector, the Government will deepen reforms under the co-operative sector to improve governance and encourage its growth to support farmers; and the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) as well as the Strategic Grain Reserve to improve their management so that they can play more effectively their strategic role of guided intervention in food crisis situations. In addition, post landing losses suffered by fishermen will be reduced by promoting of storage and processing. Surveillance effort against illegal fishing and conservation of fisheries resources will be enhances as well. Mr. Speaker, Sir, over the last four years, the Government has paid most of the arrears that were owed to farmers arising from past governance challenges. This year, we are going a step further to relieve the pyrethrum farmers of their long suffering by allocating an additional Kshs664 million to clear the remaining arrears."
}