Small grants, significant impact: A RUFORUM graduate research grant story
RUFORUM and universities working closely with small farmers along the entire banana value chain to improve income and strengthen farmer institutions.
Projects
Beans for Africa: University research linking Private Sector with farmers
Addressing the challenge of short day length and disease, this RUFORUM grantee worked closely with farmers to develop export quality runner bean lines suitable for cultivation under tropical conditions. These efforts were then extended in projects to add value and market the beans.
Training the next generation of scientist for Africa’s Transformation
RUFORUM has been a helping hand in rebuilding the University of Rwanda on agricultural developments and promoting Masters and PhD programs after the outbreak of the genocide. Leonidas Dusengemungu a Rwandan national was funded by RUFORUM for his Master’s studies at Makerere University. RUFORUM has also supported his Livestock IP innovation platform projects in Rwanda, hence transforming African communities.
Engaging Universities to Strengthen Agricultural Value Chain
The Project has enabled Farmer Associations to develop their business plans, initiate contract farming, produce striga tolerant seed maize, increased sorghum and soya production, improved management and built the capacity of the Farming Associations to undertake value addition