1. Overview of the Department of Rural Development and Agricultural Extension

The Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia has been giving emphasis to human resource development in the past two decades with an aim of combating the prevailing issues of poverty and food insecurity in the country using trained professionals in the areas of agriculture and rural development through expansion of higher education. 

In line with the development plan of Ethiopian government, Salale University which was established in July 2015 G.C also has given attention to initiate demand driven training programs in rural and agricultural sectors.

Currently, the university is offering about 34 programs clustered in 5 colleges namely: College of Health Sciences, College of Agriculture and Natural Resource, College of Business and Economics, College of Social Sciences and Humanities, and College of Natural Sciences. Department of Rural Development and Agricultural Extension was established in 2019 in the university and now offers degree programs at undergraduate level.

At present, since the department is at its early establishment stage, it runs only one regular BSc level training programme with wider future plan to open Mid-career, Summer-in-service, Continuing Education Programs and Master’s degree in Rural Development and Agricultural Extension. So far, the Department of Rural Development and Agricultural Extension has also produced and graduated 44 Bachelor’s degree graduates for the first time in 2021 Academic Year.

2. Mission and Vision

Mission

To produce competent and qualified RDAE graduates contributing to the Ethiopian society by pursuing education, learning, research and community development support services in line with the national needs.

Vision

The Department of RDAE is eager to be the center of excellence in the area of rural development, Agricultural extension service/counseling and needs to transform the living conditions our rural society.

Motto: Devoted to academic excellence through Co-Creating quality.

3. Program Objectives

After the completion of this program, graduates will be able to:

• Assist in improving the effectiveness and efficiency of interventions for agricultural development in Ethiopia by supplying the country with innovative, dynamic and professional change agents who upon their graduation can serve various organizations addressing the emerging issues in development in an effective manner;
• Facilitate pro-poor, gender sensitive and ecologically sound agricultural and rural development by producing educated human resource in Rural Development and Agricultural Extension;
• Gain knowledge in the conceptual framework, features, significance, components and growth aspects concerned with multifaceted dimensions of rural development and agricultural extension especially with regard to the specialized agencies established to and projects tailored for development;
• Acquire the necessary skills to address the issues of poverty and will be able to render extension services and will also better serve for co-ordination of rural agencies and community development programs;
• Appreciate the knowledge, skills, and the role of rural development partners and will be in a position to bring better attitudinal and behavioral changes not only in themselves for better development interventions but also in the public to get them involved in Rural Development processes.

4. Staff profile:

Currently, the department of Rural Development and Agricultural Extension is running its activities by 13 academic staff and 1 supportive staff. Among the academic staff, five of them are on study leave (two graduate assistant for MSc and three lecturers for PhD) and the rest eight are active/on duty (seven with MSc/MA and one PhD).

4.1. List of staffs and their profile

5. Program: BSc (Regular)

Currently the department runs only regular programs in the undergraduate studies. The undergraduates will be qualified in Bachelor of Science Degree after successful completion of the program schedule (four year).

6. Students: Undergraduate

At present, there are 47 (18 third year and 29 second year) students in the undergraduate program.

7. Admission Requirements

Undergraduate:

In order to be admitted to the Undergraduate Program of the Department of Rural Development and Agricultural Extension, a candidate must:

• Have successfully completed freshman program (First year courses); as per the admission rules and regulations of the university and ministry of Education or for advanced standing applicants, the criteria shall be:
  • Completion of a diploma program/level IV with CoC/ in any related field,
  • Candidates from both natural and social science streams can be accepted,

When there is high competition for admission, grade point average at graduation, additional training after graduation, service year, gender and supporting letter from their employers shall be consider to offer the limited opportunities.

8. Duration of the Study

The duration of the study is four years for regular undergraduate programs.

9. Existing Physical Resources and Infrastructure

The department has the following physical resources:

• One classrooms (for 3^rd and 2^nd year students)
• Offices for the head of the department and staffs with internet Access
• Audiovisual lab with partial facilities in place
• Reference materials (books, journals, articles, etc)

10. Research Thematic Areas of the Department

Taking into account the problems identified, experiences obtained, information reviewed from documents, research interests of the staff members, the following research thematic areas were developed.

Theme 1 Food Security, Resilience and Livelihood Options

Theme 2: Agricultural Extension system, Agricultural information system and Farmers Training  

                 Centre (FTC)

Theme 3: Agricultural Technology Innovation, Adoption and Dissemination

Theme 4: Development Policies, Rural Finance and Infrastructure

Theme 5: Gender and Youth Related Issues

11. Partnerships/Cooperation

Currently, the department has partnership/cooperation with Girar Jarso woreda adminstraion and Agriculture office as well as kebeles in the woreda.

12. Contacts

Current Head of the Department: Birhanu Workneh (MA)                                                           

Phone number: +251-912063459

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Office location: Building 05 fourth floor behind the university Seminar room