University of Saskatchewan College of Agriculture Awarded CIDA Project in Ethiopia

Posted March 09, 2004


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - March 9, 2004 2004-03-16-OTHER

University of Saskatchewan College of Agriculture Awarded CIDA Project in
Ethiopia

Ernie Barber, Dean of the University of Saskatchewan's College of
Agriculture, welcomes confirmation from the Association of Universities and
Colleges of Canada (AUCC) of funding for a collaborative development project
in Ethiopia. The Canadian International Development Agency, through AUCC,
will provide $1 million for a U of S project focusing on "Sustainable Rural
Agriculture Development."

This was one of 13 University Partnerships in Cooperation and Development
initiatives announced recently by the Honourable Aileen Carroll, Canada's
Minister of International Cooperation. The Minister noted, "Canadian
universities have been at the forefront of our efforts to promote
prosperity, peace and social justice around the world."

Activities of the project will be integrated into the teaching, research and
outreach programs at the University of Saskatchewan's College of
Agriculture. The College of Education and the Extension Division are also
contributing to this project by offering expertise relating to gender
awareness and curriculum development. "This project will further the
internationalization of the University of Saskatchewan. Through this
process, our programs will continue to focus on the global environment and
to encourage our students and faculty to think globally by promoting
international scholarship and research," said Barber.

The funding, which is to be delivered over five years, is focused on a
number of goals. Primarily, the project will strengthen the capacity of the
Awassa College of Agriculture at Debub University and the Ethiopian
Agricultural Research Organization. Both the Government of Ethiopia and the
University of Debub recognize the importance of graduate level training and
high quality in-country research and extension services for the
establishment of a sustainable food production system.

Faculty from the University of Saskatchewan will work with the faculty of
the Awassa College of Agriculture to develop a strong graduate program in
agricultural sciences. Dr. Ferdu, Dean of the College of Agriculture at
Awassa, notes, "The opening of the graduate program will help the College to
retain experienced instructors. Awassa has location advantage to train
students in various fields. Most of the Ethiopian cropping systems are found
in close proximity to Awassa".

Research funding will be provided for 25 Master of Science (MSc) students to
be trained in Ethiopia, including degrees with a specialization in
agricultural extension. The project will also contribute to increased food
security and poverty alleviation. As well, it promotes conservation of
natural resources through human resource development, education and improved
production by farmers.

More broadly, the project is consistent with the Government of Ethiopia's
commitment to establishing food self-sufficiency and agricultural
development to spur economic growth. Agriculture provides the livelihood
for most rural Ethiopians and is viewed as the main mechanism for
stimulating other sectors of the economy.

Dr. Mike Grevers, of the Department of Soil Science in the College of
Agriculture, will lead the project team. The project builds upon previous
work undertaken by the University of Saskatchewan in Ethiopia focusing on
dryland agriculture in the Rift Valley. The need for the current project
originated through a previous CIDA project, "Low Input Sustainable
Agriculture," which ran between 1997-2003

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For more information, please contact:

Paul Stevens
International Development Coordinator
College of Agriculture
University of Saskatchewan
Phone: (306) 966-4279
Email: paul.stevens@usask.ca

Rob Norris
Coordinator - Communications and Program Development
University of Saskatchewan International
Phone: (306) 241-9339
Email: rob.norris@usask.ca