KIGALI - Three agricultural agencies, OCIRTHE, OCIR CAFÉ and RHODA, yesterday, officially merged to become the National Agricultural Export Board (NAEB).

The agencies deal in tea, coffee and horticulture.

The Minister of Agriculture, Agnes Kalibata who witnessed the ceremony, noted that the institutions had done a good job and the merger would only help them grow stronger.

"NAEB is going to bring synergies and improve co-ordination. It is also going to develop a strategy for tea, coffee and horticulture to attract local, regional and international markets,” Minister Kalibata said.

She noted that there had been a few weaknesses such as follow up, poor connection with farmers’ cooperatives and procurement issues that need to be sorted out.

Alex Kanyankole, the Director General of NAEB, pointed out that the decision to merge the three institutions would see improved coordination.

"We are a strong management team of about seven people with senior positions of responsibility and have the capability.

This gives us the opportunity to implement programs under NAEB and increase revenue,” Kanyankole said, adding that his team would bring about changes including, increasing production and exports.

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