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Sri Lankan plant science company Serendib Horticulture Technologies Pvt Ltd has been commissioned to develop fruit varieties suitable for commercial production in Rwanda, Africa, reports Allafrica.com.

Serendib was selected by SAIM Africa, a US firm contracted by the Rwandan government to boost the country's horticulture industry, to develop tomato, banana, passion fruit and pineapple varieties for large-scale production.

The project is due to start at the end of September, and Serendib is expected to supply 50,000 banana and 50,000 pineapple plants during its initial phase.

Rwanda's director general of the National Agriculture Export Board, Alex Kanyankole, said Serendib was one of several companies interested in developing Rwanda's fruit farming industry.

'We believe the company is going to give a boost to the horticulture industry,' Mr Kanyankole said.