Breaking out of poverty through enhanced scientific networking in Africa: The Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture

Abstract: 
This paper considers the issue of the need for cohesion between research and policy to achieve development impact. It draws heavily on practical experience. The programme has evolved from an earlier Rockefeller Foundation university development effort into an African owned and managed initiative to feed high quality research directly into the development process. The outputs are not only better options for poor farmers in Africa but also well trained specialists in a variety of disciplines who are able to work directly and effectively with smallholders and to lead demand led development initiatives. This programme can assist the achievement of a technical – social empowerment balance in research efforts. Lessons are pulled out to provide recommendations for positive sustainable development impact through both research and the involvement of research in policy.
Ce document examine la question de la nécessité de la cohésion entre recherche et politique pour avoir un impact sur le développement. Il s’inspire beaucoup de l’expérience pratique. Le programme a évolué à partir d’un effort précédent de développement des universités de la Fondation Rockefeller à travers une initiative africaine de possession et de gestion pour nourrir la recherche de haute qualité directement dans le processus de développement. Les sorties ne sont pas seulement de meilleures options pour les agriculteurs pauvres en Afrique, mais aussi des spécialistes bien formés dans une variété de disciplines qui sont en mesure de travailler directement et efficacement avec les petits exploitants et de mener la demande qui conduit aux initiatives de développement. Ce programme peut aider à la réalisation d’une technique - l’équilibre social dans l’autonomisation des efforts de recherche. Les leçons sont retirées pour fournir des recommandations pour un impact positif du développement durable à travers la recherche et l’implication de la recherche en matière de politique.
Language: 
English
The Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture
Date of publication: 
2010
Country: 
Region Focus: 
East Africa
Author/Editor(s): 
University/affiliation: 
Collection: 
RUFORUM Conferences and Workshops
Licence conditions: 
Open Access
Access restriction: 
Form: 
Printed resource
Publisher: 
ISSN: 
E_ISSN: 
Edition: 
Extent: 
763-779
Notes: 

About the RUFORUM 2010 Biennal Conference
"The 2010 RUFORUM Biennial Conference was the second in the series. The main objective of the Biennial conferences is to provide a platform for agricultural research for development stakeholders in Africa and beyond to actively exchange findings and experiences, while at the same time learning lessons towards improving performance of the agricultural sector and ultimately people’s livelihoods. The biennial conference is RUFORUM’s most comprehensive meeting for the diversity of stakeholders in agriculture. It is especially dedicated to graduate students and their supervisors, grantees in RUFORUM member universities and alumni. It is a platform for peer review, quality control, mentorship, networking and shared learning. This record contains an extended abstract accepted under the theme of Strengthening Higher Education"