The Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. James Kabarebe, yesterday received in his office the Israeli Ambassador to Rwanda, Oded Ben-Haim, and discussed several areas of cooperation.

Ambassador Ben-Haim based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, said that agriculture was one of the areas of potential cooperation where Israel could provide its expertise to Rwanda.   

"In my view, the best way for us to cooperate is in the field of agriculture – we (Israel) have the technical know-how and capabilities, which we can share with Rwanda to develop the main sector of her economy,” Ben-Haim said.

The envoy noted that theRwandan military, just like the Israeli army in the 1950s, has a big role to play in national development.

Currently, the Rwanda Defense Force (RDF) is keen on engaging more in productive sectors of the economy like agriculture. 

Last month RDF commissioned a Rwf 200m cassava growing project on 600 hectares of land in Bugesera District. The army also plans to include fruit farming in the massive project.

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