Mizan-Tepi University, established in 2007, is dedicated to facilitating the development of competent citizens in Ethiopia through comprehensive educational initiatives. The Technology Transfer and Community Engagement (TTCE) Directorate at the university plays a pivotal role in this mission by focusing on technology transfer, community development, and the management of indigenous knowledge. This directorate oversees TTCE offices across the university’s colleges and is committed to enhancing local livelihoods through training programs, engaging with industries, providing financial support to students, and promoting various community initiatives. The directorate aims to convert research into actionable projects while ensuring active collaboration with various stakeholders, thus fulfilling its commitment to achieving socio-economic development in the region.
The TTCE Directorate is currently implementing about 23 mega projects aimed specifically at addressing community needs, particularly in agriculture and technology. Projects such as the Animal Feed Production and Innovative Intervention aim to enhance livestock productivity while addressing farmers’ awareness of sustainable practices. Other initiatives include establishing a modern dairy farm to provide training and resources for improved dairy production and a community-based enset crop improvement project to support food security. Furthermore, the Sheko Goda Cattle Breed Improvement Project and the Maji Sheep Community-Based Breeding Program are designed to foster genetic diversity and improve local sheep farming practices, thereby contributing to the economic well-being of local households. Through these community engagement efforts, the university is not only addressing immediate agricultural challenges but also fostering long-term sustainability.
In addition to enhancing agricultural practices, Mizan-Tepi University emphasizes capacity-building and innovation to support local communities. The TTCE office has conducted various training programs targeting health professionals, educators, and law enforcement officials, equipping them to address community needs effectively. The university’s commitment to a Green Legacy underscores its sustainability initiatives, while consultancy services further support agricultural development and legal assistance. Industry linkages are being fortified through various partnerships that provide students with practical experience, ultimately enhancing employability. Furthermore, the university has established a Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) center.to cultivate young talents, focusing on critical skills necessary for tomorrow’s workforce. With a comprehensive approach to education and community engagement, Mizan-Tepi University is paving the way for innovation and meaningful contributions to regional development.
Under the Technology Transfer and Community Engagement Office, approximately 23 community engagement mega projects are currently being developed within the agriculture and technology sectors to enhance community livelihoods. These initiatives include the enhancement of the Enset crop, cultivation of improved fodder varieties, the introduction of technology to local communities, the improvement of the Shako Gouda cattle breed, advancements in the Maji sheep breed, increased production and productivity of root and tuber crops, and the enhancement of dairy cow breeding, alongside efforts to promote these technologies within the community are among mega projects.
Recognizing the critical role of nutrition in livestock productivity, the office is actively engaged in developing high-quality animal feed tailored to the specific needs of local livestock. This project will be implemented in collaboration with local farmers, providing them with training and technical assistance on forest land and rangeland management, controlling bush encroachment, forest and rangeland rehabilitation, and establishment and management of the forage with aims of developing forage production, innovation and conservation, and marketing conserved forage (hay) in pastoral and agro-pastoral communities to enhance livestock productivity. The project also seeks to create awareness among farmers, pastoralists, and agro-pastoralists about the importance of forest land and rangeland management, controlling bush encroachment, forest and rangeland rehabilitation, sustainable forage production systems, and the potential benefits it offers. Through the implementation of this project, it is anticipated that the south-western part of Ethiopia will witness an improvement in livestock productivity, leading to increased incomes for farmers and a positive impact on the local economy.
The project is designed to enhance practical training for students from the university’s animal sciences department, local farmers, and the broader community. With a focus on producing high-value human food, including fresh milk and live animals, the project seeks to improve local nutrition and provide breeding stock at affordable prices. Key objectives include the transfer of modern dairy production technologies to the community, training opportunities in various aspects of dairy farming, and the overall transformation of traditional production systems into modern practices. This initiative is expected to generate excess products for market supply while creating employment opportunities within the region.
Enset is a crucial staple food for approximately 20 million Ethiopians, representing 25% of the country’s population. The edible parts, mainly the corm and pseudostem, are processed into kocho, a starch-rich product that can be stored for long periods and helps alleviate hunger during food shortages. This traditional enset-based farming system is prevalent in southern and southwestern Ethiopia and is noted for its medicinal properties, including healing fractures and treating various ailments. Enset is highly resilient to drought, offers high productivity, contributes to soil preservation, and minimizes erosion, making it an essential crop for food security and sustainable agriculture in Ethiopia. It attracts farmers for its efficiency, producing more food with fewer inputs than other staples.
The Project aims to conserve and genetically enhance the indigenous Sheko cattle, native to Ethiopia’s southwestern Bench Sheko Zones, which are valued for their resilience and significance to local communities. Launched in 2008 through a collaboration between Mizan Tepi University and the Federal Biodiversity Institute, the project has progressed through three phases. The first phase (2008-2013) increased the Sheko population from 2,400 to 7,250, while the second phase (2013-2016) further raised it to 9,313. Currently, the initiative is in its third phase (2017-present), focusing on ongoing conservation efforts in line with FAO guidelines, with a total of 9,313 Sheko cattle supported, and benefiting around 4,500 households. The project collaborates with seven local cooperative societies and involves breeding designated Sheko bulls, demonstrating a commitment to preserving genetic diversity and promoting sustainable practices.
The Community-Based Breeding Program (CBBP) at Mizan Tepi University in collaboration with ICARDA, established in 2022, aims to improve the genetic quality and productivity of indigenous sheep breeds in the Benchi Sheko and West Omo Zones of Southwest Ethiopia, thereby benefiting local livelihoods and promoting agricultural sustainability. Engaging over 500 households and with the identification of 567 ewes and 10 high-quality breeding rams, the program has already seen the birth of 313 lambs from its first generation. To facilitate effective implementation, two CBBP centers have been established in Maji Woredas, supported by local committee leaders. The primary objectives include showcasing the Maji sheep breed nationally, enhancing breeding practices, increasing sheep farming productivity, and creating a self-managed breeding system. Additionally, the CBBP is expanding to the Bench Sheko Zone with a new breeding center in Semen Bench Woreda, where data collection is underway to measure the program’s impact.
