Rwanda is urging Kenyans to help in developing its struggling horticulture industry.

A delegation from Kigali, who participated in the International Flower Trade Exhibition in Nairobi a week ago, encouraged Kenyan growers and exporters to invest in Rwanda.

Simon Ethangatta, a Kenyan working with Rwanda’s Ministry of Agriculture as a technical advisor in horticulture development, said Rwanda lacks the infrastructure required to fully exploit its potential for fresh produce.

Mr Ethangatta, a former chairman of the Fresh Produce Exporters Association of Kenya (FPEAK), led the delegation to look for established exporters willing to invest in Rwanda.

The country has an ideal climate for fresh produce. “The entire country is made up of highlands with year-round rainfall. It also has the natural humidity suitable for long stem and big headed flowers — a favourite with international markets,” he said.

He added that Rwanda can supply summer flowers when Kenya gets into its dry spells.

“Summer flowers in Kenya are grown by smallholders who rely on rain-fed farming, so when it becomes dry supplies dwindle and so Rwanda wants to offer an alternative,” he said.

At the moment, the country is not exporting much and most of the fresh produce is consumed locally or within the regional markets.

Other reports indicate that there is a shortage of fruits and vegetables globally, such as green beans (French beans) and snow peas, which can do well in Rwanda and which have been identified for exporting.

FPEAK chief executive officer Stephen Mbithi concurs that Rwanda’s climate is ideal for crops and Kigali is keen to work with Kenyan growers. “We have met President Kagame who is personally pushing for the partnerships,” he said.

Rwanda’s push for horticulture development kicked off in 2006 when the government established the Rwanda Horticulture Development Agency (Rhoda), which was mandated to assess the potential of the sector and introduce new crops.

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The goal was to seek ways of growing fresh produce to the level of tea and coffee — the country’s key agricultural exports.

Last year, Rhoda was placed under the National Agriculture Export Board, which was established to promote the country’s agricultural exports.

Head of horticulture at the board Nsanzabaganwa Epimaque said Rwanda wants to borrow from Kenya’s experience in fresh produce trading and production.

According to Tony Nsanganira, head of agribusiness Rwanda Development Board, the government views horticulture as a key to diversifying exports in order to bridge the trade deficit by increasing foreign exchange earnings.

Investment friendly

He added that Rwanda, currently rated by the World Bank as the most investment friendly in East Africa and third on the continent, has recorded an average of six per cent GDP in the past six years making it attractive to foreign investors.

To woo investors, the country has established a 24-hour one-stop-shop to register businesses, issue work permits and visas, offer banking, legal and statutory services in one office ran by the board.

“This has been one of our winning strategies as it saves investors valuable time,” he said.

Being a landlocked country makes shipping of fresh produce difficult, while the small volumes make airfreight costs too high.

“Airlines have said we must grow our volumes to bring down the cost of freight”, Mr Ethangatta said.