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{
    "id": 788095,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/788095/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 131,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. Mulu",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 1955,
        "legal_name": "Benson Makali Mulu",
        "slug": "benson-makali-mulu"
    },
    "content": "In this Bill, there is a whole section regarding research and training. This country needs to invest heavily in terms of training people as a result of research findings. Research will inform us of the gaps in irrigation and it will help us to come up with the right training programmes for our farmers and engineers. Therefore, we will be making use of technology. Another important issue is about farmers associations. It is a pity that most farmers form associations for example, irrigation water users associations, marketing associations or input sourcing associations. What happens is that the few who are given leadership positions take advantage of the other farmers. At the end of the day, instead of benefiting their fellow farmers, they freeze them out. I like what my colleague from Mwea has said; that as we look into this Bill, it is important for us to make sure that farmers’ associations benefit them instead of leaders. I can see we are coming up with the National Irrigation Authority which will take over from the National Irrigation Board. One challenge we have is that those authorities and boards are mismanaged and every year, they rely on the Exchequer for funding. Time has come - and I would like the Vice-Chair to listen to me - that as we finalize this Bill, we must allow the financing responsibility of this Authority to rely on the Exchequer to some extent, but mostly rely on its own resources. The Authority should be in a position to generate its own income and resources and not always rely on the Exchequer. When they do so, there is a tendency of them not working hard because they will get money from the Exchequer. As we come up with these authorities, they should be self-financed. Agriculture is very lucrative in terms of income generation and they should make money out of that arrangement. As we conclude on this important Bill, we should start looking at the idea of some of those authorities being self-financed. Another important issue is county governments. Most of the potential is in the counties. For example, look at the three Ukambani counties of Kitui, Makueni and Machakos. By the way, I have heard my colleagues from western Kenya talking about two agricultural seasons. Ukambani can easily manage three seasons if water is provided. It is all because of the temperatures we enjoy there. We can manage three seasons! Let us take advantage of some of those areas like Ukambani where we can manage three seasons. Let us take advantage of irrigation and come up with proper organisation and development of programmes to make this country food-secure. If we move that way, I can tell you for sure that this country will be able to take off in terms of all other sectors. With those remarks, I support the Bill."
}