“Gentian in Rwanda Project “ 10th Anniversary with Celebration of Launching a New Project
2025/2/18
Group photo
On January 24, 2025, Ambassador Fukushima attended the Ceremony to Launch a New Project of Gentian-in-Rwanda project ～with celebrating the 10th Anniversary～, held with attendance of Mr. SASAKI Takahiro, the Mayor of Hachimantai City.
Mr. Harada, the Managing Director of Bloom Hills Rwanda, giving presentation
The Gentian in Rwanda Project, launched in 2015, is a gentian production and export project in Rwanda, utilizing cultivation technology developed in Hachimantai City, Iwate Prefecture. Hachimantai City has committed to research and development in gentian cultivation for over 50 years, and produced a brand called Ashiro Gentian. Ashiro Gentian is known for its high quality, and is the most widely produced gentian in Japan. The project started 10 years ago, as a trial to expand the production base of Ashiro Gentian, and to support its sustainable research and development.
Since the beginning of the project, Bloom Hills Rwanda, which is licensed by Hachimantai City, has led the cultivation of gentians in Rwanda. The project has been growing and created over 500 jobs for Rwandan. Rwanda has an ideal climate for gentian cultivation, and the country now exports around two million gentian flowers annually to Europe, making it the world’s largest gentian exporter. For Hachimantai City, this project is an opportunity to expand its Ashiro Gentian’s market globally. Moreover, the city receives royalty from the project to further strengthening its flower industry. Thus, the project is regarded as a model case of community revitalization.
At the TICAD Ministerial Meeting held last year, the former Foreign Minister Ms. Kamikawa introduced this project as a “Best Practices” of co-created solutions of Japan-Africa cooperation.
Since the beginning of the project, Bloom Hills Rwanda, which is licensed by Hachimantai City, has led the cultivation of gentians in Rwanda. The project has been growing and created over 500 jobs for Rwandan. Rwanda has an ideal climate for gentian cultivation, and the country now exports around two million gentian flowers annually to Europe, making it the world’s largest gentian exporter. For Hachimantai City, this project is an opportunity to expand its Ashiro Gentian’s market globally. Moreover, the city receives royalty from the project to further strengthening its flower industry. Thus, the project is regarded as a model case of community revitalization.
At the TICAD Ministerial Meeting held last year, the former Foreign Minister Ms. Kamikawa introduced this project as a “Best Practices” of co-created solutions of Japan-Africa cooperation.
Mr. Sasaki, the Mayor of Hachimantai City, giving speech
During the ceremony, participants reflected the journey of the Gentian-in-Rwanda Project and celebrated its development. As an achievement of the effort, launch of a new project collaborated with JICA and R-GATE Hachimantai, established by the city, is announced. The new project named “SDGs Business Verification Survey with the Private Sector for high quality flower seedling production utilizing tissue culture technology in Rwanda” will introduce Hachimantai City’s advanced cutting-edge cultivation technology to Rwanda. It is expected to increase production of high-quality gentians and starting potted gentian exports to Europe.
The friendship between Hachimantai City and Rwanda extends beyond the projects. During the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, Hachimantai City served as a host town for the Rwanda National Delegations, and promoted their friendship through cultural, sports, and human exchanges.
The friendship between Hachimantai City and Rwanda extends beyond the projects. During the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, Hachimantai City served as a host town for the Rwanda National Delegations, and promoted their friendship through cultural, sports, and human exchanges.
Ambassador giving speech
At the ceremony, Ambassador Fukushima enhanced that the project is beneficial for both Hachimantai City and Rwanda, and expressed his deep appreciation to Hachimantai City for its pivotal role in strengthening Japan-Rwanda relations. Mr. Sasaki Takahiro, the Mayor of Hachimantai City introduced the city, and charm of the Ashiro Gentian. He thanked all project partners, and reaffirmed that the city will continue to put all the effort to supporting Rwanda’s future development.
Before the ceremony, Ambassador Fukushima visited a newly built tissue culture laboratory at the National Agricultural Export Development Board (NAEB), which will play a key role in the new project.