Bio

Dr. Rupert Best is an Independent Consultant with expertise in rural and agricultural research and development with specific interest in linking smallholder farmers to markets and agro-enterprise development.

Formerly, he was a Director at Catholic Relief Services (CRS), stationed in Bogotá, Colombia, where he led an interdisciplinary team of experts that provided technical assistance to CRS’ development programs in Latin America and the Caribbean. The team was specifically charged with building the organization’s expertise and capacity to influence public, private and civil society development policy and practice.

Prior to joining CRS in November 2010 and a 4-year spell as an independent consultant, Rupert worked for 25 years with the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) at its headquarters in Cali, Colombia. At CIAT, he was Head of the Cassava Utilization Section (1984-1989), Leader of the Cassava Program (1990-1996), and Manager of the Rural Agroenterprise Development Project (1997-2004). During this period, he undertook assignments in CIAT’s regional office in Uganda (2002-2004) and was ultimately seconded to the Global Forum on Agricultural Research (GFAR) in Rome (2004-2006) where he was responsible for the Global Partnership Programs. He initiated his career with the United Kingdom’s Tropical Products Institute, London.

Dr. Best holds a PhD in Chemical Engineering from the University of Birmingham, UK.