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{
    "id": 770005,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/770005/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 228,
    "type": "other",
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    "speaker": null,
    "content": "With this irrigation policy we shall then continue with the construction of dams, rehabilitation of swamps and placement of dry lands under irrigation, specifically, drip irrigation mechanisms in a sure way of boosting food production. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, improving agricultural productivity and production in Kenya will obviously demand an expansion of the areas under irrigation, as well as an improvement in the technology used in the sector. Currently, irrigation is under the National Irrigation Board, which is under the Ministry of Water and Irrigation Development that has been transforming it. However, this policy seeks to develop new institutional framework for the subsector under the proposed National Irrigation Development Authority. The formulation and implementation of this irrigation policy will, therefore, be at the two levels of government, in line with the spirit of the Constitution. Probably, counties may worry that the national Government will now become involved in this function, which has been with the counties, but I do not believe that there is anything to worry as this will help enhance the capabilities of the counties in being able to have better food production for their high rising populations. A clear sharing of the roles and functions between the National and county governments will now require a lot of review under the very existing policies that we have. This National Irrigation Policy will go a long way in enhancing that, so that the country can get better at being able to feed its people. With the involvement of all the stakeholders, the implementation of the National Irrigation Policy will be complemented by institutional and legal frameworks, sectoral strategies and county development strategies so that there can be an orderly and rapid development of the irrigation subsector and also to create an enabling environment for effective stakeholder participation in the country and within the counties as well. The policy will also seek to further stimulate and guide irrigation and drainage development through the targeted technical support intensified in the sector, improved research and technology, extension services and capacity building for both staff and farmer organisations to assure development and sustainability of the subsector. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, this Policy will therefore pave way for employment of the necessary technology, strategies and mechanisms for sustainable food production, that is not then going to be subject to the ever-changing weather patterns across the country and climate change in general. Full implementation of the Policy will result in the placement of bigger land acreage under irrigation, more jobs for our population, more food and stemming of rural-urban migration. It will also set up the related sub-sector income generation activities of agricultural tourism and fishing which further boosts the nutritional food quality and sufficiency; agro-based industries, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and cottage industries that will utilise the raw material obtained from irrigated land. These will ultimately serve to drive our country to high ratio of food availability per person. It will also help to attain vision 2030 and demands of the Constitution in meeting the basic needs for our citizens. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I beg to move and request Sen. (Prof.) Ongeri to second. The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposes"
}