Endalkachew Baye

Head, Department of Plant Science

Background

Education is a key tool for a country's growth and overall transformation. It is more important and crucial than any other activity to produce educated, self-reliant, and entrepreneurial citizens and to build a knowledge-based society. Therefore, the government is striving to ensure access to, equity, and quality of education. With this view, the Plant Science Department was initially established in 2012 under Addis Ababa University (AAU) as one part of the College of Veterinary Medicine and Agriculture. Alongside Animal Science, Agricultural Economics, and Horticulture departments, it was founded with the objective of addressing the growing need for agricultural education, research, and extension services in Ethiopia. Recognizing the critical role of plant science in ensuring food security, sustainable agriculture, and environmental conservation, the department was designed to equip students with theoretical knowledge and practical skills in crop production, plant breeding, soil management, and related fields.

In 2015, as part of a broader structural reorganization, the department was transferred to Salale University, where it became one of the core academic unit under the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. This transition aimed to enhance the university’s capacity to contribute to the agricultural development of the country by training skilled professionals, conducting research tailored to local agricultural challenges, and supporting community-based initiatives. Since its relocation, the department has continued to expand its academic programs and research endeavors and is playing a vital role in advancing agricultural productivity and sustainability to the region in specific and to Ethiopia as a general. Since 2017, the department has been accepting students in undergraduate programs and has graduated 200 students in 5 rounds so far. Also, in 2021, the department opened a postgraduate program (MSc in Agronomy) in both regular and weekend programs and has graduated 19 students. Regarding research, the department had conducted more than 15 different research studies on different crops. It has also conducted and participated in different community service activities.

Vision

• The Department of Plant Science aims to be one of the leading departments in Ethiopia by 2035 by providing intensive and practical education and by achieving excellent results in research and community service.

Mission

• Produce competent professionals (competent and enterprising citizens who are equipped with knowledge, skills and ethics) in the field of plant science
• Conducting relevant and problem-solving research on crops
• Adapting, developing and transferring technologies that benefit the community
• Providing community services based on the needs of the community

Objectives

• Improve crop production and productivity and ensure sustainable use of natural resources in the country, thereby contributing to improvement of the livelihood of the nation
• Produce competent professionals who are equipped with both academic and practical knowledge and skills in managing all phases of the crop production and management
• Conducting various research and extension activities which can contribute to the development of the country and ensuring food security and self-sufficiency

Staff profile

S.No	Name	Academic Rank	Email
1	Dr. Girma Megersa Geleta	Assistant Professor, PhD in Agronomy	girma.megersa@gmail.com
2	Dr. Bullo Neda Tulu	Assistant Professor, PhD in Applied Genetics	tulu0913479057@gmail.com
3	Dr. Dinberu Million Zikarigachew	Assistant Professor, PhD in Agronomy	tmdinbe8@gmail.com
4	Dr. Abera Takele Deressa	Assistant Professor, PhD in Plant Biotechnology	aberatakele91@gmail.com
5	Dr.Wolde Tefera Beri	Assistant Professor, PhD in Plant Nutrition	woldeberi9@gmail.com
6	Nesiru Muhder Kedir	Lecturer, MSc in Plant Breeding	nesrumuhder121@gmail.com
7	Fikirte Demssie Solomon	Lecturer, MSc in Plant Pathology	fikrtedemissie12@gmail.com
8	Yohanes Derara Seboqa	Lecturer, MSc in Agronomy	johnderara4@gmail.com
9	Birke Baharu Miraf	Lecturer, MSc in Agronomy	beharubirke@gmail.com
10	Zebiba Ibrahim Mohamedbirhan	Lecturer, MSc in Irrigation Agronomy	zebibaebrahim12@gmail.com
11	Lammi Jebesa Gobena	Chief Technical Assistant I, MSc in Agronomy	getachewjebesa@gmail.com
12	Birtukan Ayaleneh Tamir	Lecturer, MSc in Agronomy	birte20134@gmail.com
13	Zerihun Tesema Mekuria	Senior Technical Assistant, BSc in plant Science	zerihuntesemma@gmail.com
14	Bogale Mire Feyisa	Lecturer, MSc in Plant Protection	bogalem2009@gmail.com
15	Seifu Kibebew Gerawork	Lecturer, MSc in Agronomy	seifemikael576@gmail.com
16	Ayantu Tucho Dano	Lecturer, PhD Candidate in Agricultural Biotechnology	sittihaatolu@gmail.com
17	Lalise Ararsa Mamo	Lecturer, PhD candidate in Applied Genetics	lalise.arasa@aau.edu.et
18	Eshetu Yilma	Lecturer, PhD candidate in Microbial Biotechnology	yilma_eshetu@yahoo.com
19	Askale Desalegn	Lecturer, PhD candidate in Agronomy	askaledessalegn@gmail.com
20	Tatek Kassu Tola	Lecturer, PhD candidate in Agricultural Entomology	tatekkss@gmail.com
21	Yosef Yambo Fida	Lecturer, PhD candidate in Biotehnology	yosefyambo@gmail.com
22	Wubetie Yigzaw Emrie	Lecturer, MSc in plant Protection	wubetieyigzaw@gmail.com