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{
    "id": 556185,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/556185/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 233,
    "type": "other",
    "speaker_name": "",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "Hon. Speaker, as Hon Members are aware, agriculture sustains not only our economy but also the livelihood of our people. As such, our strategy for economic transformation and prosperity will not be achieved without investing resources and efforts towards enhancing agricultural productivity. Furthermore, agricultural value addition has the potential to act as a catalyst for Kenya’s industrial take-off. Indeed, business agriculture is steadily gaining traction in our country and a number of Kenyans, including the youth have recently ventured into agri-business as a viable commercial venture. We are continuing to invest in irrigated agriculture, partly to build resilience in our economy and assure food security for our people throughout the year. To this end, I am pleased to note that we have made good progress in the implementation of various irrigation schemes that we initiated throughout the country. Our people living in areas served by these schemes now live with dignity away from the perennial exposure to severe hunger and malnutrition. Hon. Speaker, we are making good progress in the implementation of the 10,000 acres pilot phase of the Galana-Kulalu Irrigation project. The water off-take has been completed, maize planted in over 2,000 acres and shortly, vegetables and herbs among other crops will be planted. Upon successful completion of the pilot, and drawing on the lessons learnt, we shall immediately commence the rollout programme covering, at least, 100,000 acres in Galana – Kulalu and other designated suitable schemes throughout the country under a viable business framework. To fast track the implementation of the various irrigation projects in the country, I have allocated a total of Kshs13.8 billion, comprising of Kshs10.3 billion for the National Irrigation Board (NIB) and Kshs3.5 billion for the Galana Irrigation Project. We will also continue to invest in water supply and put in place measures to control floods and harvest rain water as well as to protect and conserve the environment. Towards this end, I have allocated Kshs29.5 billion for water supply and sanitation, Kshs2.1 billion for water storage and flood control and Kshs12.6 billion for environmental protection conservation and management. Hon. Speaker, to ensure food security and lower food prices as well as provide employment opportunities for our youth, I am going a step further to support the agricultural sector through the following interventions:- - Kshs3.0 billion for inputs subsidy; - Kshs2.7 billion for the Strategic Grain Reserves; - Kshs3.1 billion for fisheries development; - Kshs0.6 billion for the revival of the Kenya Meat Commission; - Kshs0.3 billion for the revival of the pyrethrum sector; - Kshs0.3 billion for Free Disease Zone; - Kshs1.2 billion for compensation of farmers in the Mwea Irrigation Scheme; - Kshs1.0 billion for coffee debt write off; and, - Kshs3.5 billion for land titling. Going forward, as part of our agricultural transformation plan and to start preparing small-scale farmers to move away from rain fed agriculture, we will, over the next few months and after discussions with farmers, introduce a raft of tax incentives for new investment in water facilities and small-holder irrigation equipment. The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor."
}