Rwanda’s Institute of Agriculture and Animal Husbandry (ISAE) has taken a major step to diversify the country’s agricultural benefits, thanks to its membership to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

Apart from the forest seed and plant schemes supported by OECD, the institute is now set to include a fruit and vegetable scheme among the variety of schemes supported by the OECD.

This was revealed during a two-day workshop which brought together member countries with an agenda of reviewing progress and developing new strategies of improving plant and tree seed quality. 

Since 1994 when Rwanda became a member of OECD, the organization has been supporting the forestry department through seed provision and development as well as carrying out certification which has enabled forest and plant seed exportation to the region.

"We have tremendously benefited from the OECD support in the field of forestry and agricultural production in general; we are now looking at applying for support in stepping up our vegetable and fruits production,” said Daphrose Gahakwa, the Director General of ISAE. 

She added that what is needed is to register for the fruits and vegetables after which OECD will asses whether there is capacity to grow and export the products.

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