The Agriculture and Forestry University (AFU) was established in Rampur, Chitwan, Nepal in 2010 which is the first technical university in the country. The university aims at producing highly skilled human resources required to work on quality research and development in agriculture. It aims at all round development of agriculture, livestock, aquaculture and forestry which would raise the socio-economic conditions of rural people through quality teaching, research and extension. The mission of Agriculture and Forestry University is to produce competent manpower to promote education, research and development in agriculture, veterinary, fisheries, forestry and allied disciplines.
This university was founded merging Rampur Campus, Institute of Agriculture and Animal Science (IAAS) and Forestry Campus, Hetauda of the Institute of Forestry of Tribhuvan University of Nepal. In addition to the existing academic programs, the university has started 4 years B.Sc. Fisheries, M.Sc. in Biotechnology, M.Sc. in Weed Science, M.Sc. Seed technology, M.Sc. Agribusiness Management and Ph.D. programs in Developmental Studies.
AFU has started College of Natural Resource Management, a constituent college at Purunchaur Kaski, Pokhara on 2016.In the academic year 2017/18 we are establishing College of Natural Resource Management, Marin Kapilakot, Sindhuli. In addition 9 other constituent colleges are on pipeline for the establishment of B.Sc. Agriculture and B.Sc. Forestry program. AFU has planned to establish B.Sc. Agri. Engineering, B.Sc. Horticulture and Master in Dairy Technology in the near future.
AFU has already established Agriculture Science Center (ASC) in Palung on 2016 and is in the process of establishing 3 other ASC at Kalikot, Gorkha and Dhading. These centers will demonstrate the new technologies to the farmers and acts as the platform for training and research activities. LEE (Learning Experiential Exposure) program is started in B.Sc. Ag. and B.Sc. Forestry from this year in the last Semester. Prime Minister Agricultural Modernization Project (PMAMP) of Ministry of Agriculture Development is supporting this program by sending the students in Zones and Super-zones. In addition AFU is conducting Animal Health Camp, Plant clinics and IPM schools in the farmer's field. AFU has also installed Seed processing plant and is producing quality seeds to the farmers.
The university has 107 faculty members and 255 support staffs at this moment. The current student strength consists of 1883 including 1471 undergraduate students, 367 M.Sc. students and 45 Ph.D. scholars in different disciplines. Nearly 35 % students are girl students.
The faculty members of the university are involved in different research and developmental activities with the support of national and international institutions and agencies. They focus their research works on increasing production and productivity of agricultural commodities, post-harvest technology, improving self-life of food products, biodiversity conservation, and local innovation adopting participatory approaches to enhance sustainable livelihood systems of farming communities. The postgraduate students are contributing thesis researches to generate knowledge and technologies to address the issues of agriculture, livestock and forestry in the nation.
Huge attraction is there to study Agriculture in Nepal. Improving society’s awareness on the role of agriculture in our daily lives can greatly improve the image of the sector in general and therefore the amount of students choosing this particular field of study is increasing every year.
At present, the various class rooms, farm buildings, laboratories, student dormitories and residential buildings need renovations. The university needs more support both national and international for human resources and Infrastructure development. Since it is a new university, the faculty and students also need to get more exposure to learn how great universities work and become more meaningful to their societies. Faculty and student exchange would benefit both the parties in the long run.