On the role of higher agricultural education institutions in promoting inclusiveness and transforming African agriculture

Due to the constantly increasing human population and growth, the African continent is grappling with prominent challenges of low agricultural productivity and food insecurity amidst spiraling population growth and unsustainable natural resource use. While Higher Education Institutions are well known to provide their core functions of teaching, research and outreach, there is mounting evidence that more is still expected from Agricultural Education Institutions to transform African agriculture while promoting inclusiveness. The present editorial introduces the sixteen series of the Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM) Working Document Series that showcase how agricultural universities, working with various stakeholders, can substantially contribute to transform African Agriculture. In particular, the series highlights crucial aspects related to community transformation, agribusiness innovation and incubation development, inclusiveness in capacity development and challenges with training and qualifications system in African Universities. The information collated in this series provides tangible example and insights into how universities can leverage on the different opportunities in working with their relevant stakeholders.