Israeli firm to invest in agriculture

The Tahal Consulting Engineering Group, an Israeli firm, has pledged to help Rwanda improve its agricultural and energy sectors by introducing advanced technology in water supply and management, micro-irrigation, and sewerage treatment, the Rwandan News Agency reported. "They have agreed to set up a demonstration school here, improve our technology and farming techniques to achieve sustainable development," Ephraim Kabaija, the minister of agriculture, said. Speaking on Friday in the capital, Kigali, he said the visiting Israeli delegation, headed by that country's minister of agriculture, and Talal officials had agreed to invest in Rwanda. Tahal will focus on the training of personnel, on irrigation and livestock, and improve storage facilities in the country. Kabaija said the Rwandan government had set aside US $8 million for technological development and at least another $9 million for subsidising agricultural investors. "There must be a company to develop projects that apply mostly to rural-area development, and we shall be ready to support it," he said. The news agency reported that 90 percent of Rwanda was dependent on agriculture, which made up for 40 percent of the country's gross domestic product. The major cash crops are tea and coffee, with coffee earning the country $21 million in hard currency per year.