Haramaya University Partners with Dutch Initiative to Boost Seed Sector Expertise
Haramaya University, in collaboration with the Ethiopian Seed Partnership (ESP), has launched a capacity-building training program for 25 professionals drawn from various governmental and non-governmental institutions.
The training focuses on advanced seed production and business management.
Professor Mengistu Urgie, Vice President of Academic Affairs at Haramaya University, opened the session by emphasizing the critical role of agriculture in the national economy.
“Agriculture is the primary food source and a major employer, engaging up to 85 percent of the workforce and contributing 43 percent to the annual GDP,” Prof. Mengistu noted. However, the sector’s productivity remains low due to challenges such as small-scale farming, improper use of inputs, and limited technical knowledge. Modernizing this sector is essential.
Prof. Mengistu highlighted that the government has designed strategies to address these issues, adding that this training is a vital step in filling technical gaps and enhancing agro-economic business management.
Dr. Yibekal Alemayehu, the training coordinator, explained that this initiative is the second round of a broader program designed under the Netherlands Seed Partnership.
This program addresses critical areas including seed production, quality assurance, and business development, Dr. Yibekal stated. “Our goal is to bridge knowledge gaps for experts working directly in the field.”
The training is supported by a coalition of international partners, including the European Union, the Dutch Government, Wageningen University & Research, and the Ethio-Netherlands Seed Partnership.
Dr. Mohamed Hassan, head of the Ethiopia-Netherlands Seed Partnership project, stressed the importance of empowering the supply chain. “To reach the desired supply levels of high-quality seeds, we must support producers with knowledge-based interventions,” he said
Reporter:- Aweke Ayalneh
Photographer:- Tewodros Lishan
Haramaya University Public & International Relations Directorate
Tags: Agricultural Expertise, Agriculture, Crop Improvement, Dutch Initiative, Ethiopia, Haramaya University, Research Partnership, Seed Sector, Sorghum, Sustainable Farming