- INTRODUCTION
Debre Markos University is working on crop productivity and processing as its primary center of excellence, due to the potential natural resources in the area where it is located, including fertile soil, high rainfall, surface and groundwater, and a favorable climate. In addition, it has a team of researchers with sufficient experience in the field. Accordingly, in the last four years (2014/15, 2016 and 2017), it has been working on improving soil fertility, integrating and implementing production methods that increase crop productivity, propagating the best seeds on selected crops, and using modern agricultural equipment on farmers’ fields in various districts and on the land that has been handed over for research and rooting, as well as in the health campus. The center has made an undeniable contribution.
WORK DONE IN THE FIELD IN 2017 E.C· Seven postgraduate students and research projects working at the center have been carried out in an organized and systematic manner. In addition to our seed multiplication work, work has been done to organize and strengthen workshops where practical lessons are given in the field of agriculture.· An attempt has been made to multiply 1489 qt of superior wheat seeds to support the farmers. This superior seed bank will provide superior seeds to our local farmers and can cover more than 1000 hectares of land.· Efforts have been made to improve resource utilization by increasing domestic revenue· For example, we were able to collect 8,791,056 (eight million seven hundred ninety one thousand fifty six birr) in revenue by producing 1489 qt of high-quality wheat and supplying it to the Ethiopian Agricultural Works Corporation.· By renting out a combine harvester to the community at a discounted price, we were able to collect 190,050 birr (one hundred ninety thousand birr) in revenue.· The institution has established a good partnership with many institutions and stakeholders through the implementation of the Center of Excellence, such as the Ethiopian Agricultural Works Corporation, the Ministry of Agriculture of the Gojjam Zone, the Gozam Agriculture and Union, and the Quarantine Zone. More than 200 employees have been involved in the local community in various fields of work, creating job opportunities and creating a sense of ownership of the institution. · It has been possible to increase farmers’ satisfaction by providing conceiver and tractor services.
RESEARCH WORK BEING DONE IN THE FIELD
- A research project is underway to collect 500 teff accessions to test them for resistance to acid, drought, and lodging, and the work will lead to the release of new and improved varieties. Currently, 348 teff accessions have been selected for their production and quality, 245 for their drought tolerance, and 266 for their lodging tolerance.
- Research work is being done by collecting 266 wheat seed accessions and it will lead to the release of new and improved varieties. Currently, 110 wheat varieties that are considered to be better in terms of yield and quality have been selected.
- We also have research work being done on pepper disease at the request and pressure of the community.
- Since the establishment of organized seed banks is known to be a primary contribution to the future excellence and sustainability of our institution, we are establishing a seed bank by involving experts in the field by collecting seed samples of locally grown varieties from various sources and agricultural ecosystems with the participation of experts in the field (pen and cane crops, legumes, oilseeds, vegetable and fruit crops, as well as animal feed crops). The basic objectives of gene bank establishment are:
- To identify, collect, and conserve diverse plant genetic materials from various
agroecological zones of Ethiopia.
- To evaluate, characterize, and distribute plant genetic resources for research
programs for important traits.
- To promote the sustainable use of conserved plant genetic resources for food
security, nutrition enhancement, and economic development of beneficiaries.
- To develop a comprehensive database for cataloguing plant genetic resource
- To establish plant genetic resource conservation infrastructure.
- A warehouse to store agricultural inputs and products is one of the most important things we need for our work, so construction is currently underway.
- Research is being conducted on avocado, apple, and plum fruits.
- Efforts have been made to increase productivity in potato and corn crops by providing various inputs (fertilizers, corn, and potatoes) in a timely manner and using accurate recommendations.
- We are currently producing 300 m3 of natural soil fertilizer, which is prepared following the scientific principle and maintains its quality, in a manner that is coordinated with experts in the field.