Agriculture and Forestry University

Agriculture and Forestry University (AFU) is the first State-owned and technical university of Nepal established as per the Agriculture and Forestry University (AFU) Bill, 2010 passed by the Parliament of Nepal. The constituent campuses of Tribhuvan University at Institute of Agriculture and Animal Sciences (IAAS) and Forestry Campus (Institute of Forestry – IOF) Hetauda were merged and AFU was established at Rampur, Chitwan along with Dean’s Office IAAS, Hetauda. The university is dedicated to the development of highly skilled human resources needed to advance education, research and development in agriculture, livestock, veterinary and fisheries, forestry and allied fields. Likewise, it seeks to also play a role in the holistic development of agriculture, livestock and forestry to improve the socio-economic status of the rural people through quality education, research and extension. The university provides different bachelor to PhD level courses from several faculties/colleges. The University faculty members are also engaged in research and development activities on different aspects related to Agriculture and Allied fields. The post-graduate students are providing thesis research and dissertation research to create knowledge and technologies to solve issues that are relevant to the country's agriculture, livestock, fisheries and forestry sectors. The university has been following the tripartite mission (consisting of teaching, research and extension) under Land Grant Model. It is recommended that this Strategic Plan be proposed to offer the AFU a forward looking blueprint for the future, one that will involve society-serving research and extension functions.

The Agriculture and Forestry University (AFU) started the strategic planning process in 2012 with the aim of preparing its first strategic plan for the period 2013 – 2023. The Second Strategy Plan 2023-2032 is the conclusion of the thorough exercise which involved in-depth review of relevant documents, a series of consultations with strategic partners and organizing workshops that involved national and international stakeholders. In the vicinity of the first strategic planning period at the university, the second strategic planning procedures started working on this document. This strategy plan is prepared in technical support of various internal and external stakeholders at various stages of preparation. The plan outlines the vision, mission, goals, objectives and strategic objectives and proposed actions to achieve the university's strategic objectives. The Strategic Plan is a ten years planning document on how the university will be implemented in a step-wise manner with special emphasis on teaching and research, extension, support activities, welfare services, digitalization, sustainability and other aspects. Some key directions for the AFU to systematically undertake its integrated program of tripartite function are also indicated in the Strategic Plan, based on the experience gained through the evaluation of the first Strategic Plan. The national higher education policy and other related acts and rules; and Agriculture Development Strategy of the Country have also been taken into consideration in the Strategic Plan. The plan also offers a general frame of reference for mobilizing the University’s diverse human and physical capital in a rational manner for coming ten years.