Community Engagement
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.
Training Science Leaders for Africa Featuring Charles Liri
Training Science Leaders for Africa Featuring Charles Liri, Uganda
Sorghum is a crop that is plagued by the striga weed. Charles is a RUFORUM grantee who is working together with the farmers to develop high-yielding, striga-tolerant varieties. There is mutual learning between the farmers and the student.
Training a Generation of Agleaders for Agricultural Transformation in Africa
Training a Generation of Agleaders for Agricultural Transformation in Africa, Kenya, Uganda
The Mastercard Foundation and RUFORUM, in collaboration with Egerton and Gulu Universities are on the mission to build and transform the next generation through training competent and highly skilled African youth to ensure production of entrepreneurial graduates with leadership skills and potential to create impact in the rural communities.
Tomato Curly Stunt Virus in Mozambique
Eduardo Mondlane University, Mozambique
The importance of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) as source of food and income generation in Mozambique is threatened by proliferation of a viral disease called Tomato Curly Stunt virus (ToCSV) which causes yield losses of up to 100 % negatively impacting on crop productivity and the communities’ livelihood.
The Implementation of the Field Attachment Program Award (FAPA) , Benin
The Implementation of the Field Attachment Program Award (FAPA) , Benin, Benin
Field Attachment Programme Awards (FAPA) support post-graduate students intern to work with community, Finagnon Toyi a student from university of abomey-calavi worked on the complementary foods based on Baobao tree which aimed at reducing malnutrition among Children below 5 years in districts of Dassa and Materi in Benin.
Strengthening universities Community engagement for transformed Agriculture
Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Malawi
The video shows the NEPAD Regional Fish Node at LUANAR in Malawi empowering rural farmers in the country to embrace inland fish farming as a viable business. This Community Action Research Program (CARP) Fish project that enhances fish production and marketing for food security and the income of small scale producers, shows students working with farmers and is funded by RUFORUM
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.
Lucy Aciro-MasterCard@RUFORUM scholar
Lucy has had to over come many difficulties, from having to hide from the LRA as a child to not having the fees to finish her studies.
With courage and a strong determination Lucy has managed to over come these adversities to find herself part of the TAGDEV programme with the 30 selected MasterCard@RUFORUM scholars from 9 African countries.
Kenneth Kidega-MasterCard@RUFORUM scholar
Along with 30 extraordinary others from all over Africa, Kenneth received the Mastercard@RUFORUM scholarship and reported to Egerton University in Kenya to begin a truly trans-formative journey.
Kenneth will study a Master of Science in Food Security and Community Nutrition at Gulu University in Uganda.
Gabriel Mahindu-MasterCard@RUFORUM scholar
Gabriel Mahindu is one 30 extraordinary young MasterCard@RUFORUM scholars chosen by RUFORUM, a network of over 60 universities across Africa with the support of the MasterCard Foundation.
It was early experiences with hunger and poverty that catalysed Gabriel’s ability to innovate improved farming techniques in his village. He fought his way through his schooling and applied for the RUFORUM MasterCard Foundation scholarship in the hopes of pursuing his love for science and agriculture.
Farm attachments: Students and farmers learning together
Proactive and closely mentored farm attachment programmes have the potential to help farmers innovate and at the same time develop student skills and social commitment. This example particularly focuses on assisting women farmers with innovations.
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
Climate Change Challenges Researchers – Building Resilience and Mitigation strategies
The devastating effects of climate change provide university researchers with challenges as the drought leaves farmers with no groundnuts to harvest and no income. The project deadlines and student graduation are delayed as the proposed research must be adapted and focus on resilience to climate change and mitigation strategies.
Changing students’ and communities’ lives through TAGDEV Programme in Northern Uganda
Changing students’ and communities’ lives through TAGDEV Programme in Northern Uganda,
The TAGDev Programme has equipped practical agriculture and business skills, soft non-technical skills, employment and entrepreneurship skills and financial resources to students to start their own businesses to support their families and rural communities.
Changing students, farmers and communities lives through TAGDEV Programme in Kenya
Changing students, farmers and communities lives through TAGDEV Programme in Kenya,
The Transform African Agricultural Universities to Meaningfully contribute towards African Growth and Development (TAGDev) Programme . The programme focuses on delivery of transformative activities to ensure production of entrepreneurial graduates with leadership skills and potential to create impact in the rural communities
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.