One of the most reputable horticultural firms in Asia is set to enter the Rwandan market to produce bananas, passion fruits and pineapples on a large scale.

Serendib Horticulture Technologies Pvt Ltd, which is a prime plant bio technology company in Sri Lanka, will expand its presence in Rwanda, to produce fruit varieties through tissue culture technology.

According to Serendib CEO, Dilip de Silva, the company was selected by SAIM Africa, an American firm which won a contract from the Rwandan government to boost the horticulture industry.

"This contract has been awarded to an American company named SAIM Africa by the Rwanda government and we have been selected by SAIM Africa to produce pineapples and bananas, fruit tomatoes and passion fruits through tissue culture technology,” he said

The project will initially commence at the end of this month and Serenbid Horticulture Technologies will provide 50,000 banana and 50,000 pineapple plants to Rwanda as the initial stage of the project.

According to Alex Kanyankole, the Director General of the National Agriculture Export Board (NAEB), Serendib is a reputable firm in horticulture and it is one of the many companies that have shown interest in the country’s growing fruit farming industry.

"We have a whole list of investors showing interest in the country’s horticultural industry and among them is Serendib. Much as we haven’t got the details of the total investment, the firm has shown clear interest.

"We know it has a track record of being a reputable horticultural company and we have no doubts about its capabilities. So we believe the company is going to give a boost to the horticulture industry,” Kanyakole said.

Among other companies interested is East African Growers, which in 2009 had suspended its operations in Rwanda, but is keen to resume soon.

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