An Israeli investment and development delegation led by KEDAR Green Agricultural Projects (KEDAR G.A.P) Group Africa Managing Director and Chairman, Yariv Kedar, has today held a consultative meeting with Taita Taveta Governor Andrew Mwadime, and other top county leaders in efforts to identify potential areas of investment and development partnerships.
On the table for discussion was water and sanitation infrastructure, whose sorry state has hampered any meaningful development as the county is bedeviled by an acute shortage of water supply with residents, both urban and rural, witnessing frequent dry taps.
In offering a long-lasting solution, Kedar urged the county leadership to explore the limitless potential of Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) in developing and revamping water infrastructure from both Lake Chala and Njoro Springs.
The seasoned agronomist and inventor further said the availability of water for irrigation for both small and large-scale farmers would, in a short time, turn the fortunes of the arid and semi-arid county into a food basket in the coastal region and Kenya as a whole.
“When you look at the massive agricultural potential of this county that has never been tapped, you see an opportunity to lift the masses from poverty through sustainable irrigation farming. Such a path can turn this county into a regional and national food basket in a short time,” said Kedar.
Emphasising the issue of PPPs, Israel’s Agency for International Development Cooperation (MASHAV) Attaché, agronomist Eytan Hatzo said the county, and other Arid and Semi-Arid Landscapes (ASALs) in the country, can take advantage of Israel’s robust and advanced agro-technology and expertise to combat hunger, poverty, and the impact of climate change.
In his address to the delegation, Andrew Mwadime said his administration is actively seeking partnerships in the spaces of agriculture, water, and mineral resources to establish value-addition chains to create more jobs, diversify revenue streams, and lay a firm foundation for development.
“We operate an open-door policy for partnerships in our pursuit to find willing players to invest in our agriculture, water, and mineral sectors’ value addition chains in our efforts to create decent jobs, income avenues for our people and spur local development,” said Mwadime.
By Arnold Linga Masila
