Over 120 Rwandan agronomists have left for Israel, where they will undergo an 11-month training programme in modern farming practices and business management. 

Tony Nsanganira, the State Minister for Agriculture and Animal Resources, said the training will enable the participants to acquire better skills and innovative ideas that will help fast-track Rwanda’s agricultural transformation.

The agronomists will be training at Israel’s Agro studies International Centre. So far, 150 local agro-experts have graduated from the same institute, while 130 more are still on the programme.

This is the fourth time that Rwanda is sending agronomists to Israel to train since 2012, of which 300 have already graduated.

Nsanganira said the training focuses on horticulture farming, plant protection, soil conservation and irrigation techniques. Other areas are computer economics, project planning, post-harvest handling, and livestock-related courses.

"Those who completed the programme over the last two years are helping the country to expedite agriculture development,” Nsanganira said.

He said some are producing vegetables and fruits using skills acquired from Israel.

The programme, according to the minister, is in line with the second Economic Development and Poverty Reduction Strategy (EDPRSII) blueprint that is geared towards increasing productivity of the agriculture sector.

Government targets to increase the country’s agriculture production, and diversify its export base to increase export earnings. It seeks to grow volumes by 28 per cent annually.

"This cannot be realised unless farmers acquire the necessary skills and embrace modern farming practices,” Theoneste Murindangabo, one of the programme beneficiaries, said.

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