Mekuria Bereded Sheferie

Head, Department of Horticulture

Background

Horticulture is a vital component of Ethiopia’s agricultural sector, contributing approximately one-fifth of the national economy. As the fastest-growing agricultural sub-sector, it holds significant potential to further drive economic growth and play an increasingly pivotal role in national development. Expanding horticultural exports, including fruits and vegetables (both raw and processed), flowers, ornamental crops, coffee, tea, and spices through market diversification and stronger trade networks offers a significant opportunity. Given its potential, horticulture has the capacity to drive agricultural growth and revitalize a sector that has experienced slow progress in recent years. The advantages of horticultural farming, such as higher yields and profitable returns, are likely to encourage broader adoption. Policy and development initiatives, including substantial financial and technical support, are expected to accelerate the sector's growth. Increased horticultural production is projected to enhance agricultural productivity and make a substantial contribution to the national economy by adding value through storage, processing, transportation, and marketing. To harness these opportunities, Ethiopia requires a skilled workforce equipped with specialized knowledge in horticultural sciences. In response, the Ethiopian government has established several universities, including Salale University, which houses a dedicated Horticulture Department to train the next generation of professionals in this field.

The Horticulture Department at Salale University was established in 2015 to address the growing demand for agricultural education, research, and extension services, with a focus on horticultural sciences. The department is designed to equip students with both theoretical knowledge and practical skills in areas such as horticultural crop production, breeding, soil management, pest control, post-harvest handling and processing of horticultural products, as well as landscape design and floriculture. Its mission aligns with Ethiopia's broader goals of enhancing food security, promoting sustainable agriculture, and advancing environmental conservation. Initially founded in 2012 under Addis Ababa University (AAU) at the Salale Campus within the College of Veterinary Medicine and Agriculture, the department operated alongside other departments such as Animal Science, Agricultural Economics, and Plant Sciences. Prior to transitioning to Salale University, the horticulture department graduated 102 regular undergraduate students over four consecutive academic years. In 2015, as part of a national restructuring of higher education institutions to establish Salale University, the department relocated there and became a core academic unit within the College of Agriculture and Natural Resource. This transition aimed to strengthen the university’s contribution to agricultural development through the following key pillars within the Horticulture Department:

• Training skilled professionals in horticultural science
• Conducting applied research to address local challenges in horticultural crop production
• Supporting community initiatives to improve farming practices and the adoption of innovative technologies

Since its relocation, the department has expanded its academic and research programs, emerging as a cornerstone of agricultural productivity and sustainability. From 2015 to 2024, the department graduated 173 students across five batches at Salale University. Currently, the department has 28 final-year and 15 second-year undergraduate students and 24 academic staff members (8 Assistant Professors, 15 Lecturers, and 1 Chief Technical Assistant with a M.Sc. qualification). In 2021, the department launched a postgraduate M.Sc. program in Horticulture, which has graduated six students to date. Its research portfolio includes 29 studies focused on horticultural crop production and productivity, pest management, and post-harvest handling and shelf life extension. Beyond academia, the department actively collaborates with local farmers and stakeholders to promote sustainable practices, improve rural livelihoods, and address real-world challenges in horticultural crop production within the mandate areas.

Vision

• The Horticulture Department at Salale University envisions becoming a leading institution in horticultural education, research, and innovation among comprehensive universities in Ethiopia by 2035, and internationally recognized by 2050.We aim to advance sustainable horticultural practices, enhance crop productivity, and elevate the economic value of horticulture to support Ethiopia’s national development, food security, and environmental sustainability.

Mission

• The mission of the Horticulture Department at Salale University is to deliver high-quality education, training, and research in horticultural sciences. We strive to equip students with the theoretical knowledge and practical skills required for sustainable horticulture, foster innovation, and promote environmental stewardship. Through these efforts, the department seeks to advance Ethiopia’s agricultural sector, strengthen food security, and improve livelihoods in rural communities.

Objectives

• To provide students with foundational and applied knowledge in horticultural crop production, management, breeding, pest control, and soil fertility.
• To equip students to identify challenges in horticultural production and develop solutions through research, extension programs, and management strategies.
• To train students in the cultivation, handling, and post-harvest management of horticultural crops, including fruits and their byproducts.
• To integrate teaching and research with extension services to disseminate improved technologies to farmers and stakeholders.

Staff profile

S.N.	Name	Academic Rank	Email
1	Hailu Gebru Desta	Assistant Professor	hailu_gebru@slu.edu.et, or gebruhailu0@gmail.com
2	Bekele Azmeraw Mossie	Lecturer	bekeleazma2010@gmail.com
3	Muhajer Kedir Abedalla	Lecturer	muhajerk2017@gmail.com
4	Muluken Habtamu Andualem	Lecturer	muluken_habtamu@slu.edu.et, or mulukenhabtamu193@gmail.com
5	Dr. Weldemariam Seifu Gessesew	Assistant Professor	whamlove@gmail.com
6	Dr. Selamawit Getachew Bedane	Assistant Professor	selamawit_getachew@slu.edu.et, or getaselam@gmail.com
7	Dr. Dagne Kafani Dadi	Assistant Professor	dagne_kafani@slu.edu.et, or dagnekafani@gmail.com
8	Abinet Terefe Yigzaw	Lecturer	abinet.terefe@slu.edu.et, or abinetterefe2@gmail.com
9	Felka Mulat Fantaye	Lecturer	felkamul@gmail.com
10	Dr. Negera Nurgi Jelu	Assistant Professor	negera2002@gmail.com
11	Gizachew Merga Bikila	Lecturer	gize.merga@gmail.com
12	Dr. Daniel Wondimu Belay	Assistant Professor	danwon401@yahoo.com
13	Ebisa Dufera Bongase	Lecturer	ebisadu2016@gmail.com
14	Edosa Atniku Bekele	Chief Technical Assistant I	edosaatinku@gmail.com
15	Samuel Engida Wondimu	Lecturer	samuel_engida@slu.edu.et / samuelengida18@gmail.com
16	Dr. Ayehu Fekadu Hailu	Assistant Professor	ayehufekadu5@gmail.com / ayehu.fekadu@slu.edu.et
17	Mesfin Nigussie Gebreselassie	Assistant Professor	mesfin.roman@gmail.com
18	Minda Shiferaw	Lecturer	mindashiferaw@gmail.com
19	Fiseha Tadesse	Lecturer	ftad2000@gmail.com
20	Shimelis Misganew	Lecturer	mshemales@yahoo.com
21	Moera Demissie	Lecturer	ratadem2013@gmail.com
22	Tesfaye Mideksa	Lecturer	midaksatesfaye22@gmail.com
23	Abera Girma	Lecturer	aberakehu@gmail.com
24	Belay Andarge	Lecturer	abelay766@gmail.com