Business Plan 2011-2016: Consolidating Lessons and Success for Balanced Growth

This Business Plan documents a strategic operational and funding model for the Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM). RUFORUM is a consortium of 25 universities in Eastern, Central and Southern Africa (ECSA) with the mandate of strengthening university capacity to train high calibre graduates and conduct innovative research responsive to small-holder farmers’ needs. The Business Plan has been constructed through a series of internal and external consultations to support RUFORUM operations between 2011 and 2016. The Plan has been written from a management and business perspective; it summarises key results of strategic growth and resource requirement analyses, and seeks support from various RUFORUM partners. The Business Plan presents the roadmap for RUFORUM’s desired course of service delivery from 2011-2016. The document articulates the goals, guidelines, activities, and timelines that are critical to making important decisions about focus, expansion, partnerships and resource base. This Plan also provides RUFORUM member universities, existing and potential development partners, governments and other stakeholders with the key information about RUFORUM’s strong capabilities in building the next generation of African researchers, teachers and scientists who can contribute to agricultural growth, natural resources management and food security on the continent.