Consultative Workshop held on Irrigation based Seed production

Office of the research affairs held Consultative Workshop with zonal and ‘Woreda’ stakeholders on Irrigation based Seed production at Gola Oda and Babile Woreda, at Harar Ras Hotel on 17 November, 2021.

Ethiopia imports 1.7 million tons of wheat every year, and stake holders are trying to replace the imported wheat by producing much in the country. In supporting this Haramaya University is working with associations and other stakeholders on quality wheat seed multiplication.

At the Consultative Workshop with stakeholders, Dr. Tesfaye Lema, Vice President for Research Affairs, said the University has produced over 2,500 quintals of improved seed on 60 hectares of land in Gursum Woreda in collaboration with farmers associations and agricultural offices.

Dr. Tesfaye added that, the University has discussed with zonal and ‘Woreda’ agriculture and natural resources bureaus as well as other stakeholders to produce improved wheat seed on more than 150 hectares of land in Babile and Gole Oda Woredas in the current budget year.

Head of the zonal Agriculture and Natural Resource Development Office; Getahun Nigatu, said in east Hararge zone, by using Irrigation more than 168,000 quintals of wheat has been harvested in the last 2013 E.C year. Based on using the last year best experiences, for the current 2014 E.C year it is planned to produce more than 1,000,000 quintal of wheat on 26,000 hectares of land, and Haramaya University promised to support 1,000 quintals of high quality seed.

Deputy Administrator of East Hararge zone Mr. Ayalew Takele, said Haramaya University is playing an irreplaceable role in expanding its experience on irrigation to produce best seed development in East Hararge Zone, Gole Oda Woreda. The effort is also underway to expand the experience gained from Gursum Woreda to Gole Oda Woreda.

According to Dr. Bulti Tesso, a lecturer and researcher of plant science at the University, it is important to know producing seed and producing for food consumption is quite different. All stakeholders should understand that and due attention from land preparation to post-harvest process to get best seeds.

Finally, discussion was held on a memorandum of understanding (MoU) prepared to produce wheat seed by irrigation with farmers and pastoralists from East Hararge Zone, Agriculture and Natural Resources Conservation offices of Babile and Gole Oda Woredas.

By: Aweke Ayalneh

Photograph: Tewodros Lishan