Background
Agricultural Engineering is crucial for Ethiopia's industrial development through agriculture, training adaptable engineers for diverse roles. It uses engineering principles to address farming challenges like tool design, irrigation, and infrastructure, improving rural life. Established in 1905, the field has driven agricultural advancements. Neglecting it threatens a nation's survival, as many aid-dependent countries face agricultural failures that this profession can solve. Recognizing and utilizing its potential is vital, especially in developing nations, for sustainable agricultural solutions and overall development.
The Agricultural Engineering profession has significantly contributed to increased labor productivity by replacing human and animal power with efficient machinery. This shift has also improved labor efficiency, freeing up valuable human resources for other industries. Furthermore, agricultural engineering has reduced farm drudgery by mechanizing labour-intensive operations. Enhanced farm life is another key contribution, achieved through better housing, electrification, and improved access to essential infrastructure and services. Soil and water conservation efforts, focusing on erosion control and efficient water management, are crucial contributions. Agricultural engineering also enables the expansion of agricultural land through irrigation techniques for year-round production. The development of alternative energy sources, like biomass, provides renewable energy options. Finally, automation, robotics, and advanced computer-directed management systems have revolutionized agricultural practices, leading to greater efficiency and precision. The primary task of Agricultural Engineering is to apply technological and engineering tools to increase agricultural production and efficiency, improve product quality, and preserve the environment. This involves implementing appropriate technologies in resource-scarce conditions, developing new agricultural products and systems, and exporting advanced knowledge.
Mission:
- Enhancing the production of agricultural and biological products and the conservation and management of natural resources through teaching, research, and outreach to, increase the profitability and sustainability of agriculture, and protect the environment and improve the quality of life;
- Fostering student development through career preparation, enrichment and leadership opportunities;
- Extending the program to reach out to urban and rural beneficiaries provides continuing education and life-long learning opportunities for the community
Vision:
The Agricultural Engineering Program is envisioned to become a reputed program of excellence in the application of engineering to agricultural production processing, natural resources management, and rural development by providing sound education that prepares students to serve society as professional
engineers; conducting research that makes a positive impact upon national agricultural development; and contributing its part in making the country’s agriculture competitive through building capacity to use new technologies and develop quality products and services, and attaining economic growth.
Objective of the programs
- Provide excellent undergraduate Agricultural Engineering education that is relevant, academically sound and characterized by an appropriate balance of theory and application at par with the professional standard.
- Conduct research to develop technologies, processes, products, and strategies to support efficiency and sustainability in agricultural, food, biological, and natural resource systems synergistic with the training program.
- Provide technical assistance and educational programs to farmers and small producers, agricultural businesses and industry, in order to improve production efficiency and profitability and to assist decision makers in agricultural production, value-added processing, and natural resources
management. - Contribute towards enhancement of the agricultural production and fostering conservation and management of natural resources through teaching, research, and outreach to, increase the profitability and sustainability of agriculture, and protect the environment for improved quality of life;
- Extend the program to reach out to urban and rural beneficiaries provide continuing education and life-long learning opportunities for the community
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