An Assessment of the Agricultural Relations Between Israel and Kenya: Case Study of the Galana Kulalu Irrigation Scheme.

Abstract

Generally, this study is about the agricultural relations between Kenya and Israel, using the Galana Kulalu Irrigation Scheme as a case study. Consequently, it examined the growth and development of the bilateral relations between Kenya and Israel in various fields before discussing the status, challenges, opportunities and prospects of the Galana Kulalu Irrigation Scheme that is being undertaken with the help of the Israelis to help curb the hunger menace in the country. At the end, several recommendations were made to make the fight against food insecurity more effective. The study also set out two hypotheses namely that the problems of hunger and food insecurity in Kenya are as a result of poor planning by the responsible bodies and organizations, and secondly that there is a positive correlation between the strengthening of Kenya-Israel ties and boosting food security in Kenya. The study which depended largely on secondary data with intermediate use of tables and diagrams including thematic approach to present the information was situated within the complex interdependence conceptual framework. The study found out that the causes of hunger in Kenya include conflicts, climate change, over-reliance on rain fed agriculture, and the ever growing population that makes it difficult for the government and other agencies to provide decent living standards for all Kenyans. In the recent years, food insecurity has mainly been attributed to climatic factors that are beyond human control like global warming, which has seen the country experience rains during seasons that are expected to be dry, and no rain at all during the seasons that are expected to be rainy. However, there are also man-made factors that make food security difficult to achieve like misappropriation of funds meant for relief food or food security projects. The study found out that in the past there has been lack of technical know-how of modern irrigation techniques to ease the hunger menace, hence making the dream of a food secure Kenya a more elusive one. The impacts of food insecurity are several. They include; Children in food insecure areas, and where the school feeding programme is absent, are usually forced to drop out of school. Under-nutrition among infants also affects negatively their cognitive capabilities as well as their immune systems. Lastly, the study has given recommendations to boost food security in Kenya. They include; That the government should expand its strategic food reserve from storing only maize, as has been the case over the years. Although the study acknowledges the government's move to add rice to its food reserve, it further suggests inclusion of other food products to include milk, pulses, fish and meat products. Secondly, the irrigation potential in the country should be explored especially by putting the areas along the Tana, Athi, Yatta, Nyando and Nzoia basins under irrigation. Thirdly, the study comes up with two areas for further academic research; Seeing that the project is in its initial stages, there should be further research in its subsequent phases, and also that since Israel and Kenya are viable economic partners, especially after President Uhuru's launch of direct flights from Nairobi to Tel Aviv, further research could be done on the economic aspect of Kenya- Israel relations.