The Republic of Cameroon is abuzz with anticipation as it gets ready to host the 19th RUFORUM Annual General Meeting (AGM) from October 28 to November 2, 2023, at the Palais des Congrès in Yaoundé. This year, the event takes on special significance as it marks the first time the AGM will be held in Central Africa since RUFORUM’s inception in 2004. Under the overarching theme of “Transforming Higher Education to Sustainably Feed and Create Prosperity for Africa,” the AGM is set to bring together a diverse and dynamic community of over 600 participants, including higher education leaders, researchers, policymakers, development partners, private sector representatives, students, and farmers.

At this remarkable gathering, the focus will be on sharing experiences, insights, and charting a path forward to enhance higher agricultural and tertiary education in Africa, ultimately contributing to sustainable development on the continent. The AGM serves as a platform for collaborative discussions and knowledge exchange, aimed at bolstering the role of education in fostering prosperity through agriculture.

It provides an opportunity to shine a spotlight on the achievements of higher education institutions within Cameroon and the wider Central African region. The program includes a rich array of activities, such as Technical Parallel Sessions, Partner Side Events, and the RUFORUM Annual General Business Meeting.

For MARCCI, this AGM holds particular significance. We are excited to announce our active participation in this conference. It offers us the perfect platform to showcase our innovative work in the field of agriculture in the areas of plant breeding and innovations at large. Over the years, MARCCI has been committed to research, capacity building and training of PhD students in Plant Breeding and Biotechnology and a MSc in Plant Breeding and Seed Systems in collaboration with the Department of Agricultural Production. Our contributions span areas such as sustainable farming practices, cutting-edge agribusiness strategies, innovations and impactful community engagement initiatives.

We look forward to presenting our work and sharing our experiences with fellow participants and stakeholders. This is a unique opportunity to engage in meaningful discussions, establish valuable partnerships, and contribute to the larger goal of fostering sustainable agriculture and education in Africa.

The 19th RUFORUM Annual General Meeting promises to be a transformative event, and we are thrilled to be part of this historic moment. Our team at MARCCI is dedicated to making a positive impact on the agricultural landscape, and this AGM serves as an ideal platform to demonstrate our commitment to the cause.

Stay tuned for updates as we embark on this exciting journey towards the AGM. We can’t wait to share our agricultural innovations, learn from others, and collectively work towards a prosperous, food-secure future for Africa.