Foreign Experts and Unsustainable Development: Transferring Israeli Technology to Zambia, Nigeria and Nepal

Israel forged relationships with less developed countries in Asia and Africa in the 50s and 60s, offering expertise and technological assistance in agricultural development in exchange for political alliance. This book examines three case studies of such projects in Nigeria, Nepal, and Zambia to discover how successful they were and what lessons could be learnt. The main problems revealed reflect how strongly changes in global politics and economics impact on small-scale local development projects.

Format: Hardback
Length: 218 pages
Publication date: 01 January 2021
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

In the 1950s and 1960s, former colonies in Asia and Africa gained independence, leading to the creation of new states. While these countries maintained strong ties with their former rulers, they also sought to forge relationships with less developed countries for various political reasons. Israel, in particular, was eager to offer expertise and technological assistance in agricultural development in exchange for political alliances. This book examines three case studies of such projects in Nigeria, Nepal, and Zambia to assess the success and lessons learned from these endeavors.

While most of the projects initiated by the Israelis initially achieved significant success, infrastructure problems often made the new agricultural technologies unsustainable once the Israeli experts left. The main issues revealed in this book highlight the profound impact of changes in global politics and economics on small-scale local development projects. Through in-depth case studies from Nigeria, Nepal, and Zambia, this book explores Israeli-assisted agricultural development projects and addresses the key challenges and problems associated with such collaborative efforts, where foreign experts introduce new technologies to rural communities in less developed countries.

The book begins by providing an overview of the historical context and political motivations behind Israel's engagement with developing countries. It discusses the need for countries to address food insecurity and poverty, as well as the role that agriculture plays in economic development. The author then presents the case studies, each of which focuses on a specific agricultural development project in one of the three countries.

In Nigeria, the project involved the introduction of modern irrigation systems and improved crop yields. The Israeli experts provided technical assistance and training to local farmers, helping them to adopt new farming practices and technologies. The project was successful in increasing crop production and improving the livelihoods of many farmers. However, once the Israeli experts left, the local government struggled to maintain the infrastructure and provide ongoing support to the farmers.

In Nepal, the project focused on improving the quality of tea and coffee production. The Israeli experts introduced new varieties of tea and coffee plants, as well as improved processing techniques. They also provided training to local farmers on sustainable farming practices and post-harvest management. The project was successful in increasing the income of many small-scale tea and coffee farmers. However, it faced challenges in terms of scalability and sustainability, as the local farmers lacked the resources and expertise to maintain the new technologies and practices on a large scale.

In Zambia, the project aimed to improve the productivity of small-scale farmers through the introduction of hybrid maize and wheat varieties. The Israeli experts provided training and technical assistance to local farmers on seed production, planting, and harvesting. The project was successful in increasing crop yields and improving the livelihoods of many farmers. However, it faced challenges in terms of market access and infrastructure, as the local farmers struggled to sell their produce and access essential inputs such as fertilizers and pesticides.

The book concludes by discussing the lessons learned from these case studies. It highlights the importance of sustainable infrastructure development, long-term training and support, and market access for successful agricultural development projects. It also emphasizes the need for collaboration and partnership between foreign experts and local communities to ensure the sustainability and scalability of such projects.

In conclusion, this book provides valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities of Israeli-assisted agricultural development projects in less developed countries. It highlights the importance of collaboration, sustainable infrastructure development, and market access for successful agricultural development projects. The case studies presented in the book offer valuable lessons that can be applied to other countries seeking to improve their agricultural sectors and address food insecurity and poverty.

ISBN-13: 9781138701779