Kenya to work with Israel to modernize water and agriculture services

Deputy President William Ruto looks on as Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu admires a sculpture of a lion in his Jerusalem office, Israel. Mr Netanyahu asssured Mr Ruto that his country will assist Kenya in fighting terrorism and in the development of Agriculture. PICTURE DPPS

TEL AVIV: Kenya will continue to work closely with Israel in modernizing water and agriculture, Deputy President William Ruto has said.

Mr. Ruto said modernization of water and the agricultural sectors remains key to solving problems of water shortages and food deficiency across the globe.

“Kenya and Israel is already engaged in the modernization of water and agriculture,” said the Deputy President.

The Deputy President presided over the opening of the International Exhibition and Conference on Water Technology and Environmental Control  (WATEC, 2015) held in Tel Aviv, Israel.

The conference was attended by Israel former Prime Minister Shimon Peres, Arizona State in the United States (USA), Governor Goug Ducey, and Israel Minister for Economy Aryeh Deri as well as his Environmental Protection counterpart Avi Gabai.

Mr. Ruto added: “We have jointly (Kenya and Israel) put 10,000 out of one million acres of land under irrigation.  The first harvests have been done.’’

In this regard, the Deputy President said it was clear that Kenya was not only ready and committed but was on course in modernizing water and the agricultural sectors.

To attain meaningful progress in the development of water and agricultural sectors, the Deputy President said the use of technology must be embraced.

 “Technology sharing can help modernize water and the agricultural sector. This can enable the people engage in development projects like farming through irrigation, which can transform their lives,” he said.

He said the conference presents an opportunity for policy makers to exchange ideas with the innovators on the best practices of managing the existing water resources.

The Deputy President said the Africa continent has changed the old narratives of the region from that of war, disease, conflict and poverty to that of fastest growing economies.

 “I want to make it clear that the old narratives of Africa being ravaged by war, disease, poverty and conflict has changed to that of fastest growing economies in the world,” said Mr. Ruto.

He singled out Kenya as one of the African countries, which was ready and prepared to work with innovators to move towards manufacturing, value addition, agro-processing and water harvesting.

 “As a measure to ensuring improved economies, Africa and Kenya in particular is moving towards manufacturing, value addition, agro-processing and water harvesting to change the fortunes of its people,” said Mr. Ruto.

He said Africa has the new potential to embrace technology and innovation.

“Any technology that does not link to Africa is short-sighted,” said Mr. Ruto.

“We want to make sure as leadership of the continent that the people benefit from technology developed to transform their lives,” he added.

Mr. Deri noted that more than 1billion people across the globe are in dire need of water noting that measures must be put in place to correct the situation.

 “As a country we are using US Dollars 750million (approximately Ksh 7.5billion) to rehabilitate one of our rivers which has been polluted in our efforts to ensuring the management of the existing water resources,” said Mr. Deri.

 “We must know that the global water consumption is expected to increase as we experience decrease in existing water,” he added.

Mr. Peres emphasized on the need for countries to work together in embracing technology.

 “Countries should work together by sharing information on the best way to embrace technologies as far as conservation of water is concerned,” said Mr. Peres.

Governor Goug Ducey said his government will partner with Israel in ensuring implementation of water resources for the benefit of the people of the two areas.

 “My government will continue to partner with Israel in sharing information on ways of managing water for the benefit of the people,” said Mr. Ducey.

Water and Irrigation Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa, Governors Benjamin Cheboi (Baringo) and Wycliffe Oparanya (Kakamega) among others attended the conference.