Dr. Agnes Kalibata, has emphasized the need for tight food safety standards, in the handling of food exports, if the country is to fully exploit the existing potential in the horticulture industry.

Speaking to officials of the Rwanda Bureau of standards (RBS) and stakeholders in the food production sector during a development conference, Dr. Kalibata, the State Minister for Agriculture, emphasized the need to meet the necessary standardization requirements if export diversification is to be attained.

"The biggest problem in the agricultural sector is food safety. We produce a lot of vegetables that if we had a proper marketing system this country could live on vegetables alone. However we do not produce them in a manner that is acceptable by international or even regional markets,” she underscored.

In an effort to increase export diversification, the minister noted that horticulture has been declared one of the top government priorities urging stakeholders to understand the requirements and strengthen the national strategy on horticulture.

The conference is aimed at training trainers in the field of agricultural production for international markets.

"In January next year, we will start constructing a horticulture wholesale market. As a big business it will mainly depend on whether you the trainers understand what is required from farmers so that you bridge the gap between markets and production,” Kalibata added.

Statistics from the agricultural ministry show that horticulture exports increased from 660 metric tonnes in 2007 to 1.8million metric tonnes in 2008.

According to Florence Musiime, an official from the agriculture and livestock certification department in RBS, the required certification measures for agricultural products are in place however, most farmers still do not understand  the required standards.

"Our institution however is planning to visit these farmers one on one as we train them on how to produce standard products for local consumption and international export,” Musiime said.

Leslie D. Bourquin an expert in food science and human nutrition from the United States of America also noted that buyers internationally are looking for products that arrive at the markets in good condition, of consistent quality with sufficient shelf life to be viable.

Officials also noted that green vegetables and fruits possess a tremendous potential to contribute not only to the national export earnings but also to the country’s nutritional needs.

Rwanda Horticulture Development Authority members and Kigali institute of Science and Technology students of food science as well as administrators were also present.

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