Israel funds irrigation project in Ukambani

By ONESMUS NZIOKA

Israel ambassador to Kenya, Gil Haskel, has promised that his government will help transform Kibwezi area to a food production zone.

“This dry land can feed the entire region and the whole country. We want it to be like the Promised Land that every one will stop by to have a look,” said the envoy.

Speaking at Kisayani in Kibwezi constituency and Wote in Makueni during a tour of the region, the envoy said the area has a great potential for food production considering the numerous rivers and huge fertile land.

The envoy expressed his disbelief at the sight of large amounts of water flowing through River Athi to the ocean while crops wither just a kilometre from the riverbanks.

He said Israel was ready to tap such resources and put them into proper use to enable Kenya achieve sustainable food production for her people.

The envoy said this was possible considering that Kenya has plenty of water resources and fertile soils, unlike Israel that is a desert but has achieved food security and is a major food exporter.

Adequate resources The envoy also launched Sh300 million irrigation scheme in Kibwezi East, funded by his government. Over 400 acres are being irrigated.

Part of the assistance would be reviving the University of Nairobi’s agricultural research centre in the area that collapsed and most of the equipment left to rust. Mr Haskel called upon people to form cooperative societies, saying Israel achieved its enviable development in agriculture through cooperatives known as Kibbutz. He said this would enable farmers access inputs and market for their products easily.

He reiterated his government’s willingness to offer adequate training to Kenyan farmers on modern agricultural production, saying Kenya’s food security remained a top priority for Israel.