RDF officers tour biodiesel research plant

More than 50 officers of Rwanda Defence Forces (RDF) last week visited the Institute of Scientific and Technological Research (IRST), Kigali station, to learn how biodiesel and other products are processed.The officers are undergoing training at the RDF Command and Staff College in Nyakinama, Musanze district.Brig. Gen. Joseph Nzabamwita, the RDF spokesperson, said the visit aimed at acquainting the officers with activities of various institutions, including researchers, ICT, academic activities, among others, that are part of the curriculum.“They applied for a study tour in our institute, we welcomed them and they were shown the steps of making biodiesel and how different it is from normal diesel. We explained how it is friendly to the environment and cheaper,” said Dr Jean Baptiste Nduwayezu, the director-general of IRST.The research institute promotes biodiesel research to process more biodiesel and targets to have all vehicles in the country use biodiesel by 2025, according to Dr Nduwayezu.ChallengesThe challenge is that the processing system is still slow as the palm oil they use is imported and the clientele is still scarce.Biodiesel goes for Rwf890 compared to Rwf 1,000 for normal diesel.The station, which started in 2007, has made some progress, producing at least 2,000 litres per day.

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RDF officers tour biodiesel research plant