Kenyan counties to benefit from Israel’s agri-technology

NAIROBI, KENYA: County governments are set to benefit from Israel's agricultural technology following its success in the Galana-Kulalu project.
This is in line with the constitution which outlines agriculture as one of the devolved functions of the county governments.
Cabinet Secretary Water and Irrigation Eugene Wamalwa said the government will be taking up opportunities for the envisaged agro-industrial hub of the Galana- Kulalu Food Security Projects.
"These projects will be carried out in various counties which we have identified with having irrigable potential areas. This will help us increase area under irrigation by 500,000 acres with the help of dams," said Wamalwa at a forum organized by Israel's Embassy in Nairobi.
Wamalwa said Israel manufacturers will support these projects by bringing their industries in the regions: "This will facilitate the manufacture of irrigation and farm implements, fertilizer, chemicals and other scientific and high technology goods. This will not only create jobs but also increase the yield of agri-business."
Some of the areas are Kerio and Turkwell basin in Turkana and West Pokot County, Daua basin in Mandera, Ewaso Nyiro North in Isiolo and Marsabit, Great Bura in Tana River, Kitui and Garissa and Thwake Dam in Makueni County.
He noted that the main challenge the country is facing is in investment opportunities to solve food insecurity and water scarcity which leads to the country importing food: "Kenya spends between Sh7 and Sh4 billion annually to import rice and soya beans respectively. These are crops we have the potential to grow."
Nyeri County Governor Nderitu Gachagua, who is chairman of the Agriculture and Land Committee in Council of Governors, said the country is shifting focus from rustic agrarian systems whose output only ends in subsistence, to mechanized economies like Israel.