Dalhousie University International Research and Development

Published purpose

This project supports the reform of four agricultural colleges so that they are better able to provide high-quality training that meets the needs of Ethiopia's commercially-oriented agriculture sector. The project provides advice and training to instructors and staff of the four agricultural colleges to help them improve their teaching and administration skills. The project also provides books for libraries and equipment for laboratories and field demonstration sites at the four colleges. The four colleges provide approximately 3,000 graduates per year with the technical and entrepreneurial skills they need to undertake commercial agricultural production and to find employment in public and private agricultural enterprises. The project is also strengthening the knowledge and skills of approximately 500 teaching and administrative staff in key areas related to commercial agriculture, business planning, curriculum development, and income generation. The project is also working to develop partnerships with other colleges, universities, research institutions, agribusinesses, and farmers to ensure that the colleges' training programs remain relevant. The project also shares the best practices in management and education it develops with other colleges in the country. The project is implemented by Dalhousie University Faculty of Agriculture in collaboration with McGill University and the Mennonite Economic Development Associates in Canada and with Jimma University College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine in Ethiopia.