Background information:
The Department of plant sciences was launched during the 2010/11 Academic Year (2003 E.C.) and is one of the pioneer departments in the former Faculty of Agriculture and currently College of Agriculture and Rural Transformation of the University of Gondar. When established, the department had only 6 academic staffs and just 40 undergraduate students. In the wake of its establishment, the department began training students for B.Sc degree and undertaking different problem solving research, community service and technology transfer projects. Tough young, the department is considered one of the best performing department in the University and has received different awards from the University for its unreserved effort and pro-activeness for better teaching, research and community service activities. In order to deliver quality education and undertake problem solving research, community service and technology transfer activities, the department has a “Learning by doing” core value of its curriculum and hence has established research and teaching demonstration sites at Teda, Gorgora, Dabat, Shinta and Belesa areas.
When the department was launched in the 2010/2011 academic year, it was with the following objectives:
· To produce qualified and competent graduates in the field of plant sciences
· To develop appropriate scientific crop production technologies
· To give community based services in the areas of plant sciences
· To promote the dissemination of improved technologies relevant to the areas of plant sciences
Our Mission
Ø To contribute to the sustainable socioeconomic development of the country by producing vibrant, compassionate and responsible citizens through societal needs tailored curricula; conducting problem solving research; and strengthening community engagement, and technology transfer.
Vision of the Department:
Ø To be the leading societal problem-solving Department in the Country by 2020.
Our Work
Our Department aims to produce well trained plant science professionals that can conduct research to generate, adopt and disseminate improved crop production and protection technologies; generate, adopt and disseminate improved crop production and protection technologies by integrating teaching-research activities with extension activities so as to extend the newly improved technologies to the farmers; and provide technical advice, consultancy services and short term training to farming community including investors, development agents and other stakeholders in crop production and protection fields.
Previously training of plant scientists do not meet the current challenges because of environmental degradation, climate change challenges, globalization (increased global competition), increased loss of biodiversity, increasing demand for healthy, quality and acceptable food products, production for market (sell what you produce vs. produce what you sell) and different farming systems (small-holder vs. large-scale).
The traditional crop production practices need to be replaced by modern approaches to feed the ever-increasing population and boost up the economy of the country with help of well trained man power. Increasing agricultural productivity through generating, adopting and disseminating agricultural technologies is therefore the central task of agricultural professionals. Although the number of annual graduates in Plant Sciences is still relatively high, we need more plant science graduates to feed the ever increasing population. This is especially true for the Amhara Region where plant production and household livelihood are tightly interwoven. Producing skilled and competent agricultural professionals is therefore the responsibility of higher institutions including Gondar University.
We currently offer an undergraduate program in Plant Science.
Research and Community Services
Our Department is also dedicated to carrying out a range of research and community service activities.
Our current research thematic areas include:
- Crop Production, Protection and Post Harvest Management
This field of study addresses generation, adoption and dissemination of improved agricultural technologies such as improved varieties, agronomic practices, crop protection practices, post harvest technologies and socio-economic aspects to enhance agricultural production and productivity in different agro ecologies. The researchable issues that can be treated under this theme include the following
- Crop improvement
This includes development of high yielding, diseases and drought resistant, and early maturing varieties; adapting improved varieties to different agro ecologies; collection and characterization of local germplasms; and maintenance and multiplication of improved and breeding lines.
- Agronomic Practices
This includes the development and dissemination of appropriate agronomic practices/packages such as: site and crop specific fertilizer (organic and inorganic) requirements, method and time of application; intercropping; irrigation management practices; seed treatment and germination test; and tillage practices.
- Crop Protection
This area of research involves the study biology of economically important crop pest; yield loss assessment study of major economically important crop pest; and the screening and evaluation of different prevention and protections technologies and methods against crop pests such as legislative (quarantine and laws), physical (Mechanical destruction, chemical control, biological (using natural enemies, integrated pest management (IPM).
- Post harvest management
This includes the development and dissemination of appropriate harvesting and post harvest technologies; maintenance of post harvest shelf life of fruits and vegetables; and identification of causes of post harvest loss and developing appropriate control and prevention measures.
We also offer a range of community services including:
- Training for farming community and development agents in agronomic practices, crop protection, soil fertility management, and post harvest technologies.
- Establishment of demonstration sites for improved agricultural technologies
- Multiplication and distribution of improved crop verities (cereals, pulses, spices and fruits)
Study Programs & Requirements:
The Department of Plant Sciences has the following study programs in which the medium of instruction for all programs is English:
1. Undergraduate Program:
| S/N | Program Name | Start time | Admission | Duration of Study | Number of Modules | Minimum ECTS* | Entry requirements |
| 1 | B.Sc. in Plant Sciences | 2010 | Regular | 3 | 14 | 180 | As per the rules and regulations of the Ministry of Education and UoG |
| Extension | 4 | 14 | 180 | ||||
| Summer | 5 | 14 | 180 |
* European Credit Transfer System
2. Graduate Programs
| S/N | Program Name | Start time | Admission | Duration of Study | Minimum Course Cr. hr | Thesis Credit Hour | Entry requirements |
| 1 | M.Sc. in Agronomy | 2014 | Regular | 2 | 27 | 6 | B.Sc. degree in related fields and passing entry exam |
| Extension | 3 | 27 | 6 | ||||
| Summer | 5 | 27 | 6 | ||||
| 2 | M.Sc. in Plant Protection | 2014 | Regular | 2 | 27 | 6 | B.Sc. degree in related fields and passing entry exam |
| Extension | 3 | 27 | 6 | ||||
| Summer | 5 | 27 | 6 |
Research Activities of the Department of Plant Sciences:
Since the inception of the department, different research projects on different issues have been undertaken. The following are some of the research works done and have been performed by the staff member of the department.
| S.N. | Year | Research Project/Title | Study Areas | Status | Funded by | |
| 1 | 2015/16 | Adaptation and Development of Improved Sesame Production Technologies for Major Growing Environments of North Gondar Zone | North Gondar Zone, Ethiopia | Ongoing | University of Gondar | |
| 2 | 2015/16 | Generation of Improved technologies for Major Sorghum growing Agro-ecologies of North Gondar, Ethiopia | North Gondar Zone | New | University of Gondar | |
| 3 | 2015/16 | Adaptation and Development of Improved Chickpea production Technologies for major chickpea growing Environments of North Gondar, Ethiopia. | North Gondar Zone | New | University of Gondar | |
| 4 | 2014/15 | Malt barley variety adaptation trial at Dabat, Debark & Wogera District | North Gondar Zone | New | University of Gondar | |
| 5 | 2014/15 | Survey on insect and disease pest damage of sesame crop in N.Gondar zone | North Gondar Zone | Completed | University of Gondar | |
| 6 | 2014/15 | Farmers management and innovation in varieties selection of food barley in North Gondar highlands, Ethiopia | North Gondar Zone | Completed | University of Gondar | |
| 7 | 2012/13 | Effects of Nitrogen Fertilizer Application on Seed Yield and Nutrient Uptake of Onion (Allium Cepa var cepa L.) at Gorgora, North Gondar | Gorgora, North Gondar Zone | Completed | University of Gondar | |
| 8 | 2012/13 | Yield Evaluation of Garlic (Allium sativum L.) Varieties under Irrigation at Dabat, Northwest Ethiopia | Dabat, North Gondar Zone, Ethiopia | Completed | University of Gondar | |
| 9 | 2012/13 | Evaluation of Turmeric (Curcuma domestica) Varieties for Fresh Rhizome Yield, Essential Oil and Oleoresin Content at Gorgora, Northwest Ethiopia | Gorgora, North Gondar Zone, Ethiopia | Completed | University of Gondar | |
| 10 | 2012/13 | Evaluation of Improved Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) Varieties for Their Yield at Dabat District, North Gondar, Ethiopia | Dabat, North Gondar Zone, Ethiopia | Completed | University of Gondar | |
| 11 | 2012/13 | Participatory Farmer Evaluation of Maize Varieties (Zea mayz L.) at Chilga, North Gondar, Ethiopia | Chilga, North Gondar Zone, Ethiopia | Completed | University of Gondar | |
| 12 | 2012/13 | Adaptation and Demonstration of Improved Chick Pea Varieties (Cicer arietinum L.) for Yield and Related Merits in Metema, North Gondar Ethiopia | Metema, North Gondar Zone, Ethiopia | Completed | University of Gondar | |
| 13 | 2012/13 | Current status and Potential Distribution of Dodder Weed (Cuscuta spp) in North Gondar, Ethiopia | North Gondar Zone, Ethiopia | Completed | University of Gondar | |
| 14 | 2012/13 | Field Survey on Prevalence, Incidence and Severity of Maize Diseases in Northern Gondar Zone, Ethiopia | North Gondar Zone, Ethiopia | Completed | University of Gondar | |
| 15 | 2012/13 | Effects of Integrated Nutrient Management on Yield and Nutrient Uptake of Tef (Eragrostis tef) at Gondar Zuria, Northwest Ethiopia | Gonder Zuriya woreda, North Gondar Zone, Ethiopia | Completed | University of Gondar | |
| 16 | 2012/13 | Patrticipatory Evaluation of Improved Varieties of Teff and Haricot Bean at West Belesa, North Gondar | Belesa, North Gondar Zone, Ethiopia | Completed | University of Gondar | |
| 17 | 2013/14 | Survey on Prevalence, Incidence and Severity of Maize Diseases in Northern Gondar Zone, Ethiopia | North Gondar Zone | Completed | ||
| 18 | 2013/14 | Effect of Integrated Nutrient Management on Growth, Yield and Nutrient Uptake of Teff | North Gondar Zone | Completed | ||
| 19 | 2013/14 | Adaptation and Demonstration of Improved Chickpea Varieties (Cicer arientinum L) for Yield and Related Merits in Metema Woreda, North Gondar, Ethiopia | North Gondar Zone | Completed | ||
| 20 | 2013/14 | Patrticipatory Evaluation of Improved Varieties of Teff and Haricot Bean at West Belesa, North Gondar | North Gondar Zone | Completed | ||
| 21 | 2012/13 | Adaptation of Improved Varieties and Determination of Nitrogen Fertilizer Rate and Time of Application for Economic Optimum Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.) Production at West Belesa, North Western Ethiopia | Belesa, North Gondar Zone, Ethiopia | Completed | University of Gondar | |
| 22 | 2012/13 | Screening of Some Foliar Insecticides against White fly (Bemisia tabaci) on Tomato at Metema Woreda, North Gondar | Metema, North Gondar Zone, Ethiopia | Completed | University of Gondar | |
| 23 | 2012/13 | Evaluation of Integrated Use of Seed Dressing, Dust and Foliar Chemicals Insecticides Against Termite (Micoterm spp.) on Upland Rice at Metema Woreda, North Gondar | Metema, North Gondar Zone, Ethiopia | Completed | University of Gondar | |
| 24 | 2012/13 | Evaluation of Sorghum based soybean intercropping on striga (S. hermenthica) management and yielding potential at Metema, North West Ethiopia | Metema, North Gondar Zone, Ethiopia | Completed | University of Gondar | |
| 25 | 2012/13 | Survey on Insect & Disease pest damage of Sesame crop in North Gondar Zone | North Gondar Zone, Ethiopia | Completed | University of Gondar | |
| 26 | 2012/13 | Productivity Enhancement of Sesame through Improved production Technologies. Case of West Belessa North Gondar Ethiopia | Belesa, North Gondar Zone, Ethiopia | Completed | University of Gondar | |
| 27 | 2012/13 | Creating Access to quality protein Maize (BHQPY-545) variety at Chilga District | Chilga, North Gondar Zone, Ethiopia | Completed | University of Gondar | |
| 28 | 2011/12 | Adaptation of Improved Varieties and Determination of Nitrogen Fertilizer rate and time of application for economical optimum Sorghum Production at West Belessa district | Belesa, North Gondar Zone, Ethiopia | Completed | University of Gondar | |
| 29 | 2011/12 | Practical Training on Integrated crop management (ICM) of Chickpea and Sorghum in West Belessa District | Belesa, North Gondar Zone, Ethiopia | Completed | University of Gondar | |
| 30 | 2011/12 | Establishing Model Agricultural Technology and Innovation Village in Teda, Gondar Zuria Woreda, North Gondar, Ethiopia | Teda, North Gondar Zone, Ethiopia | Completed | University of Gondar | |
| 31 | 2011/12 | Demonstration of Linseed (Kulumsa-1) variety at Debark wereda North Gondar | Debarq, North Gondar Zone, Ethiopia | Completed | University of Gondar | |
| 32 | 2011/12 | Malt Barley Variety adaptation at Dabat & Debark Woredas of North Gondar | Debarq, North Gondar Zone, Ethiopia | Completed | University of Gondar | |
| 33 | 2011/12 | Farmers’ Management of Barley Diversity in North Gondar Highlands, Ethiopia, Implication for On-farm conservation | North Gondar Zone, Ethiopia | Completed | University of Gondar | |
Community Services and Technology Transfer
Based on research outputs and felt needs of the target community, academic staff member of department f plant sciences, have been engaged in community services and technology transfer works. The following are some of the works in the area of community services and knowledge and technology transfer.
1. Community Services
| Year | Project Title | Project Areas | Status | Funded by |
| 2015/16 | Pre-Scale up of linseed (Kuluksa-1) variety at Dabark Woreda, North Gondar | North Gondar Zone, Ethiopia | New | University of Gondar |
| 2015/16 | Training and creating access to improved varieties of Haricot bean at West Belesa, North Gondar | Belesa Research station | New | University of Gondar |
| 2015/16 | Strengthening Seed Multiplication and Marketing Cooperatives at Selected Woredas of North Gondar Zone | North Gondar Zone | New | University of Gondar |
| 2014/15 | Practical Training On Integrated Crop Management (ICM) of Chick Pea and Sorghum in West Belesa District | North Gondar Zone | Completed | University of Gondar |
2. Technology Transfer
| Year | Project Title | Project Areas | Status | Funded by |
| 2015/16 | Establishing Model Agricultural Technology and Innovation Village in Tseda, Gondar Zuriya Woreda, Northe Gondar Zone | North Gondar Zone, Ethiopia | Ongoing | University of Gondar |
| 2015/16 | Sack Farming: Solution for Land Scarcity, Food Insecurity and Income Generation on small scale households of Gondar town. | Gondar Town, North Gondar Zone | New | University of Gondar |
| 2012/13 | Introducing “Quality Protein Maize” to the farmers of Chilga | North Gondar Zone | Completed | University of Gondar |
Contact Us
If you would like to learn more about our work please contact:
- Name:
- Tesfaye Wosen
- Job Title
- Head, Department of Plant Sciences
- Tel (office):
- +251-918789629
- Email:
- tesfaye_wossen@yahoo.com