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{
"id": 233440,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/233440/?format=api",
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"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Mr. M.A. Mohamud",
"speaker_title": "The Minister for Regional Development Authorities",
"speaker": {
"id": 74,
"legal_name": "Ali Mohamud Mohamed",
"slug": "ali-mohamud-mohamed"
},
"content": " Mr. November 22, 2006 PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES 3857 Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, although the intention of this Motion was overtaken by events, but because of the spirit on both sides of the House and the importance of the Motion, the Government supports the Motion. It supports the reclamation and irrigation of Yala Swamp jointly by the LBDA and the DFL through public/private partnership as it aims at addressing food sufficiency, poverty reduction and employment creation. Hon. Members are aware that these policy objectives are clearly spelt out in the Government's Economic Recovery Strategy Paper (ERSP) as well as the Strategy for Revitalising Agriculture (SRA). The development of irrigation farming in Yala will, therefore, not only improve the overall standards of living of the people there, but will also provide employment opportunities and sustainable livelihood for many Kenyans. The project will also enhance crop production for both domestic consumption and for export. Towards this end, the Government, through the LBDA entered into a memorandum of understanding with Dominion Farms Limited in the year 2003 to invest in a large scale joint venture irrigation scheme in the Yala Swamp. According to the agreement, LBDA was to provide all its assets and land while the Dominion Farm was to provide funds for construction of the project as well as skilled man-power. The project initially was estimated to cost about Kshs1.6 billion. It might have gone up now to perhaps, Kshs2 billion or so. Because of its importance, the Cabinet in June, 2004, approved the project in total. The ultimate goal of the project is to cover many areas in Siaya, Bondo and Busia. Right now, it is in part of Siaya, but later we intend to expand it. The Government allocated 3,700 hectares to Dominion Farm for the implementation of the project, although they asked for 6,900 hectares. Should they develop the 3,700 hectares, then the Government will not hesitate to give them the remaining land. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, as for the project status at the moment, we have the following crops on the ground. First, 350 acres of land is under rice production. Secondly, a rice milling plant is already in place and will be operational very soon. Thirdly, three acres of demonstration plots for soya beans is also there. Fourth, 200 acres under groundnut seeds. Fifth, 4,000 palm oil trees have been planted. Sixth, 85 acres under irrigated maize seed. Seventh, 315 acres under rain-fed maize seed. These seeds are sold to Kenya Seed Company and they are also used by local farmers. Eighth, 30,000 bags of maize were sold in the last three years. Ninth, to maximise productivity and profitability, cotton growing was already started. We have a total of 300 acres under cotton seed growing. Tenth, to reduce pressure on fishing in Lake Victoria, the company established a fish out-growing programme for the farmers for consumption and commercial purposes. The project, as has been mentioned by Prof. Olweny, has bee-keeping and honey production components. Sixty farmers have already been trained and bee-hives sold to them on credit. The Kenya Agricultural Research Institute has established a field office to promote research and extension services to the outgrowers. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, currently, the project has a total of about 200 permanent staff and 750 casual labourers. The number is likely to rise during peak seasons and when full investment is realised. With regard to the environmental impact assessment, I wish to report to this House that NEMA had undertaken a number of environmental impact audits and its recommendations have been fully implemented. For the sake of the House, I would like to mention a few of the recommendations that have been already implemented. One, an appropriate water resource management system is in place to ensure that there is effective and efficient use of irrigation waters and recycling of waste management. Secondly, Lake Kanyaboli within the swamp is now recovering. Initially, the waters of that lake were carried away by floods. The lake is now attracting 3858 PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES November 22, 2006 new fish and that will promote fish production. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, thirdly, majority of farmers were compensated by Dominion Farms Limited for loss of their land, but a few have refused to move apparently because of alleged incitement by leaders and NGOs. Fourthly, NEMA will continue to carry out environmental impact assessment audit to ensure compliance with regulations. In order to oversee implementation and monitoring of the project, the Government formed an inter-Ministerial technical committee comprising the following: The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Regional Development Authorities, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Local Government, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Water and Irrigation, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of State for Special Programmes, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance, the Attorney-General, NEMA and the National Irrigation Board. On the 16th and 17th of this month, the committee toured the project and were generally satisfied with the project implementation. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, recently, the Government also established a project technical advisory committee at the local level. The committee comprises of the following: The relevant district heads of departments, the Lake Basin Development Authority, Dominion Farms Limited, community representatives, county councils, Provincial Adminstration, KARI and NEMA."
}