Melkamu Workineh Kassa (Ass. Prof.)

Center of Excellence for crop productive and agro processing Coordinator

Message of the coordiator

As the coordinator of center of excellence for crop productive and agro-processing at Debre Markos University, we firmly believe that investing in crops is the best way to combat hunger and poverty and improve the lives of billions of people. Based on the diversity of ecosystems and the demands of the community, Debre Markos University has established Centers of Excellence for agriculture. However, smallholder farmers living in this area are using traditional farming, harvesting and marketing system. Due to this fact most farmers are suffering from economic problems and food and nutrition insecurity.  To address this problem in the region, Debre Markos University has established center of excellence in crop productivity and agro processing and now doing different activities to realize the vision.

Establishing a Center of Excellence allows the institution to thoroughly explore the possibilities of its surroundings and make a significant contribution to the country’s overall socio-economic development. For this reason, the university has taken on the scientific responsibility of investing in the region’s potential by establishing research centers in the strategic themes. Hence, the newly established center of excellence in the area of crop production and agro-processing will contribute to the regional food security, particularly in Gojjam through introducing diversified crop products and selected seeds; initiating entrepreneurs to establish agro processing enterprises; introducing new agricultural technologies, developing capacity of the community on crop production, nutrition and value addition;  establishing agro-ecology based research stations and training centers; establishing crop production and agro-processing extension linkage, sharing experiences among smallholder, providing training on production and reducing pre and post-harvest losses, disseminating  smart agronomic practices and improved varieties. Lazy hands make for poverty, but diligent hands bring wealth so that we can build the greatest future together.