State to Prioritize Investment for Food Security in ASALs

Deputy president Rigathi Gachagua has said the government will prioritize investment in the arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs) for food security.

While speaking at Pwani University, Kilifi County during the 6th Annual Conference of the Kenya Institute of Public Policy and Research Analysis (KIPPRA), the deputy president said the ASALs have the potential of solving the food crisis in Kenya.

“The future of our country is in arid and semi-arid lands. We are seeking partnership in investments to plug the food deficit to a surplus. The dry lands are the panacea to our food security,” DP Gachagua said.

The second in command added that the current resilience initiatives, spearheaded by the counties and international partners will be improved through strong consultative development frameworks strengthened by policies.

“ASALs are vast and fertile, we are opening up the infrastructure and enhancing security; what is missing is water,” the DP said.

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He further asked KIPPRA to identify policy gaps for sound proposals to ground interventions even as the government constructs and improves infrastructure such as dams, boreholes, water pans, among others.

The deputy president reported that several trials on farming in the Northern counties have proved that with the right infrastructure, crops are a viable option to increasing food security alongside pastoralism.

“Arid and Semi-Arid Land covers 29 out of the 47 counties, which are home to about 38% of our population.  Our people are in or are exposed to poverty, hunger, thirst, and related challenges. There is no dignity in inability to meet the basic needs of the family,” he said.

DP Gachagua said the state has launched several equipment for deep sea fishing in collaboration with partners to ensure families in ASALs can produce more through fishing.