Haramaya University Secures Grant to Advance Climate-Smart Peanut Research
Haramaya University has secured a research grant of €90,000 from GIZ Ethiopia, in collaboration with Nutriset Group, France; Hillina Enriched Food PLC, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; and New Mexico University, USA.
The project is implemented under the National Peanut Research Program at Haramaya University, with Dr. Abdi Mohammed, Associate Prof. of Plant Pathology and a leading researcher in the School of Plant Sciences, serving as the project focal person.
Implementation of this research initiative is set to commence soon, following the formal signing of the grant agreement between Haramaya University and GIZ Ethiopia. The project, led by Principal Investigator Dr. Abdi Mohammed, will run for two years, from November 2025 to October 2027. This collaboration underscores a crucial effort to strengthen academic and industry linkages by uniting research institutions with private-sector food industries, fostering sustainable and innovative partnerships.
The project aims to introduce in Ethiopia climate-smart highly nutritious peanut varieties and advance aflatoxin reduction, which will in turn significantly contribute to nutritional improvements for vulnerable populations, food security, soil health, and the livelihoods of smallholder farmers. Dr. Abdi stated.
The impact of these enhanced peanuts extends well beyond the farm gate. These varieties hold significant commercial potential for the private sector, providing superior raw materials for the oil industry and snack production. Crucially, they will be key inputs for creating Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF), which is essential for saving the lives of children suffering from severe acute malnutrition. Ultimately, the success of this research is positioned to directly support broader Ethiopian socioeconomic development.
Haramaya University Public and International Relations Directorate
Tags: Agricultural Innovation, Climate Resilience, Climate-Smart Agriculture, Crop Science, Ethiopia Agriculture, Food Security, Haramaya University, Peanut Research, research grant, Sustainable Farming