Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources (MINAGRI) and the National Agricultural Export Development Board (NAEB), officially inaugurated a new flower tissue culture laboratory in Kigali on January 24. The lab is part of the “SDGs Business Verification Survey with the Private Sector for High-Quality Flower Young Plants Production” project which aims at further strengthening the country’s flower export sector. The lab is set to play a role in advancing Rwanda’s flower industry by producing high-quality young plants through tissue culture technology. The event also marked the 10th anniversary of the Gentian-in-Rwanda project, a decade-long collaboration with Hachimantai City, Japan, focused on growing Rwanda’s cut flower production and export capacity. The ceremony was attended by key figures in the agriculture industry, representatives from both Japan and Rwanda, and other dignitaries, including Isao Fukushima, Ambassador of Japan to Rwanda, Minako Shiotsuka, Chief Representative of JICA Rwanda, Takahiro Sasaki, Mayor of Hachimantai City, Yoshiyuki Sato, Managing Director of R-Gate Hachimantai Ltd, Shungo Harada, Managing Director of Bloom Hills Rwanda, and Dr. Olivier Kamana, the Permanent Secretary of at MINAGRI, Ms.Sandrine Urujeni serves as Chief Operations Officer at NAEB, and officials from other government institutions. ALSO READ: Rwanda’s flower exports double as more investment comes in Minako Shiotsuka, the Chief Representative of JICA, highlighted the growing importance of JICA’s strategy to foster investment from Japanese companies in Rwanda’s agricultural industry, pointing out that the Gentian-in-Rwanda project stands out for two main reasons; connecting a range of stakeholders and that it allows rapid applications of Japanese technology. “We are proud to be part of the new aspiration of the Gentian-in-Rwanda project, where we are applying advanced tissue culture technology to improve flower production. This collaboration is a powerful example of how Japanese technology and expertise can help elevate Rwanda’s agricultural industry, and we look forward to its success,” she said. Isao Fukushima, Ambassador of Japan to Rwanda, underscored the deep and enduring friendship between Japan and Rwanda, highlighting Hachimantai City's central role in the success of the Gentian-in-Rwanda project. “The Gentian-in-Rwanda project has not only strengthened the bonds between Japan and Rwanda but has also become a prime example of how collaboration can drive economic growth and innovation. With the introduction of advanced cultivation technology, we are taking this partnership to new heights, contributing to Rwanda's agricultural development,” he added. He noted that the project not only created significant employment opportunities and expanded exports in Rwanda, but also provided Hachimantai with a valuable opportunity to establish a global market for its flowers. ALSO READ: Rwanda, Japan envoys share reflections as two countries clock 60 years of cooperation Olivier Kamana, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources, highlighted that this lab will play a role in bridging the gap left by the previous expansion goals, particularly in producing high-quality flower cuttings and enhancing Rwanda's competitiveness in the global flower market. “The launch of the tissue culture laboratory is a transformative milestone for Rwanda's floriculture sector, enabling the production of high-quality flowers, and bridging existing gaps in our flower production, in alignment with our national agricultural development goals,” he noted. Kamana also underlined that the Gentian-in-Rwanda project aligns with Rwanda's broader agricultural transformation goals, contributing to the growth of high-value exports, job creation, and economic empowerment, especially for women and youth. Takahiro Sasaki, the Mayor of Hachimantai City, explained that the gentian flowers exported from Hachimantai are loved in the world for its unique color. He highlighted that the gentian grown in Hachimantai is the most beautiful and holds the largest share in the Japanese market, and the Gentian-in-Rwanda holds the world largest share in Europe.
