Foreign Affairs Minister Louise Mushikiwabo has urged Rwandan students in Israel to focus on acquiring skills that would transform the agriculture sector back home.

According a statement from the ministry, Mushikiwabo, who was this week on an official visit to the Middle East country, met with the over 100 Rwandan students in Tel Aviv, Israel.

The students, who have been in Israel since November 2013, are undertaking a one-year programme in agriculture studies, focusing on modern farming and irrigation technologies.

"I want to urge you to take advantage of the skills you have acquired to develop agriculture and agri-business back home, taking the example of Israel,” Mushikiwabo said.

She expressed gratitude to the state and people of Israel for welcoming the Rwandan youth in their country and giving them the opportunity to acquire skills that are beneficial to Rwanda.

She also urged the students to make the most of this programme.

Mushikiwabo was accompanied by Amb. Benayesh Zevadia, the Israeli Ambassador to Rwanda, based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and the Honorary Consul of Rwanda to Israel, Hezi Bezalel.

The minister toured flowers’ greenhouses where some of the students are undergoing practical training.

Mushikiwabo’s meeting with Rwandan students marked the end of her visit to Israel, in which she held various high level meetings including one with President Shimon Peres. This year, Rwanda and Isreal agreed to step up diplomatic ties, with the former committing to open an embassy in Tel Aviv in the near future.