Water and Irrigation Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa, said the Government will be taking up accruing opportunities from the successful Galana-Kulalu Food Security projects.

 

“These projects will be carried out in various counties that we have identified as having irrigable potential. This will see the country increase the area under irrigation by 500,000 acres,” said Mr Wamalwa at a forum organised by the Israel Embassy in Nairobi.

 

Mr Wamalwa said Israel manufacturers will support the planned projects by establishing industries in the marked regions.

 

“This will facilitate the manufacture of irrigation and farm implements, fertiliser, chemicals and other scientific and high technology goods. This will not only create jobs but also increase the yield of agri-business,” he said.

 

MARKED AREAS:

 

Some of the marked 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, Garissa and Thwake Dam in Makueni County.

 

He said Kenya is faced with the challenges of investment opportunities that would go towards solving food insecurity and water scarcity, which lead to the country importing food.

 

“Kenya spends Sh7 billion and Sh4 billion annually to import rice and soya beans respectively. These are crops we have the potential to grow,” said Wamalwa.

 

Nyeri Governor Nderitu Gachagua, who is the chairman of the Council of Governors’ Agriculture and Land Committee said the country is shifting focus from rustic agrarian systems to mechanised economies like Israel.

Source : in2eastafrica.net