Bachelor of Science (BSc) Degree Program

1.      Background of the program

In Ethiopia agriculture plays a highly significant role in terms of food and nutrition security, environmental sustainability, domestic income and export revenue generation, raw material source for agro-industries as well as creating ample employment opportunities. In quantitative terms, agriculture provides employment for more than 80% of the population, nearly 45.8% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and about 75% of the export earnings. Agricultural performance has improved since the mid-2000s, with crops, especially cereals, accounting for most of the growth. However, agricultural growth has lagged far behind the overall average, owing to the predominance of traditional farming practices, such as rain-fed cultivation and limited use of fertilizer, and small fragmented landholdings. For several years, the rate of population growth has exceeded by far more than the rate of growth of agricultural production. As a result of this, Ethiopia is facing repeated food security problems occasioned by unstable food production dynamics.

Horticulture is an important segment of agriculture sector, which contributes about one-fifth share in the economy of Agriculture and allied sectors. It is the fastest growing sub sector within agriculture and is set to assume a greater role and importance within the agriculture sector and eventually in the national economy. In addition, there are tremendous opportunities to augment exports of horticultural commodities and products especially fruits and vegetables-both raw and processed by way of strengthening existing markets and exploring fresh markets. Due to the enormous potential of horticulture-both in domestic as well as international front- as evident from burgeoning demand of horticulture commodities and products, it could become a key driver in stimulating agricultural growth that has been rather sluggish in the recent past. Potential advantages of horticultural farming in terms of yielding higher farm output and remunerative returns, is likely to encourage horticulture farming on a larger scale. Numerous policy and development initiatives including massive financial and technical support available in the horticulture sector are likely to provide a greater impetus to the process of horticultural development in the country. Higher horticultural growth within the crop husbandry is not only expected to push agricultural growth further but also to make substantial contribution in the national economy by unleashing substantial value addition through storage, processing, transportation and marketing of horticultural commodities and products.

1.1. Rationale for the program

The Horticulture sector commands a large employment potential by way of supporting a series of direct and indirect activities related to area development, nurseries, cultivation and farming, crop maintenance, production, post-harvest management, storage, processing, transportation, marketing and distribution of horticultural commodities and products. Hence, the on-going growth in the horticulture sector is expected to further provide a huge employment opportunity. Achieving food self-sufficiency necessitates the use of modern agricultural technologies and technical support of qualified agricultural professionals that demonstrate their skills and know-how through their technical advice in using modern agricultural practices and improved crop varieties, which in turn help in improving productivity and quality of crops. In view of the huge trained human resource requirements of the country and the ambitious government policy, the demand for trained professionals at the undergraduate level in horticulture is very high.

1.2.Vision of the program

The vision of the department is to become a full-fledged center of excellence in the field of horticulture that would put the University to be one of the top African universities in agriculture with worldwide recognition.

1.3.Mission of the program

The program will contribute to the development of agricultural sector and thereby ensure food security and self-sufficiency through;-

• Teaching and research activities in the area of horticultural crop production and management
• Generating knowledge and producing skilled manpower in the  field of  horticultural
• Offering tailor-made training and consultancy services for those involved in horticultural crop production, either small scale producers and commercial as well
• Modernizing horticultural crop production sector by supplying it improved technologies i.e improved seed or planting material, propagation techniques, optimum fertilization, irrigation etc.
• Improving the quality of living of the society by supplying surplus production by maximizing productivity.

1.4. Goal of the Program

·         To produce qualified and competent professionals in the field of Horticulture for the nation and beyond.

·         To cultivate research oriented and competent professionals for research center, Universities, Colleges, Ministry of Agriculture, other governmental and non-governmental organizations as well as self-employed entrepreneurs.

1.5. Objective of the Program

1.5.1. General objective

The general objective of the program is to produce high – level manpower equipped with adequate knowledge and skill to design and implement the activities indicated in the perspective graduate profile.

1.5.2. Specific objectives

The program will have the following specific objectives in the undergraduate program of Horticultural sciences:

To provide students with basic and applied knowledge and skills of horticultural crops production & management, breeding, protection and soil fertility management principles & concepts

To enable the students to understand and realize problems in horticultural crop production and seek solutions through exposure to research, extension and management.

To provide the students with the knowledge of handling horticultural fruit plants and their products.

To integrate teaching-research activities with extension activities so as to extend the new improved technologies to the farmers.

1.6. Professional Profiles

F Design, execute, monitoring & evaluation of horticultural projects

F Provide professional service and leadership in horticultural enterprises

F Generate self-employment and establish and manage private enterprises related to their profession and related fields.

F Involved in consultancy and advisory service in the field of horticulture.

F Design and conduct trainings for specialized skill and knowledge in areas of horticulture in agricultural colleges, universities and training centers

F Dedicate to live and work with the farming community.

F Initiate and run private horticultural farms as self-employment

F Capable to teach and train in several aspect of horticultural fields

F Relate and integrate production of horticultural crops with other farm enterprises

F Undertake research and feasibility studies to advise investors, different agriculture sectors.

1.7 Admission Requirements

To be admitted to BSc. in Horticulture, candidates should fit to admission requirement to Ethiopian higher education institutions upon successful completion of a one year freshman program in natural science. Placement of students to the program abides to the Mo-SHE affirmative regulation. Others like re-admission and advanced standing shall be treated according to the academic rules and regulations of the universities. Students who graduated with diploma in the field of Horticulture, Plant sciences, General Agriculture and other related fields from recognized institutions can also apply to pursue their studies in regular, summer and extension programs based on the university legislations

1.8. Graduate Profile

Graduates of the department of Horticulture are well equipped with theoretical knowledge and practical skills in various aspects of horticulture i.e. horticultural agronomy, horticultural breeding and protection and soil fertility management which are needed to:

F Promote and disseminate agricultural technology through training of farmers

F Assist in planning, implementing, monitoring and evaluating programs/projects related to

F horticultural production, protection and management in sustainable base

F Involve in research activities in the area of his/ her professional field of study.

F Integrate horticultural crop production and natural resources management issues with other farming enterprises

F Set and manage overall operation of horticultural nurseries and farms.

F Inspect the quality and safety of horticultural produce.

F Carry out scientific research on various aspects of horticultural crops.

F Promote environmental safety by encouraging good agricultural practices.

F Plan, design, execute and mange residential, public and commercial landscape.

F Propagate, produce and manage horticultural planting materials.

F Possesses capabilities to positively influence the community and serve as an agent of change in matters pertaining to his/her field.

F Possess the knowledge and appreciation of underutilized horticultural crops.

F Generate and operate different pre and postharvest technologies to minimize losses.

F Identify biotic and abiotic factors limiting horticulture crops produce and design management options

F Manage greenhouse horticultural crop production, facilities and equipment

F Understand basics of horticultural plant structures and functions

F Generate analysis and present different work reports in written as well as oral communication.

F Possesses the necessary background knowledge to pursue further advanced study in horticulture.

1.9.Duration of the study

A four-year academic time is required to acquire a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) degree in Horticulture. Each academic year is further divided into two semesters of about 16 weeks

2.Graduation Requirements

Students will be eligible for graduation upon successful completion of a minimum load of 244 credit hours set for the regular program. At the end of the program, the student is required to have a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of at least 2.00 with no ―F letter grade in any course.

2.1.Degree nomenclature

The nomenclature of the degree in the program:

English: Bachelor of Science Degree in Horticulture

Amharic: “ባችለር ዲግሪ በሆርቲካልቸር”

Master of Science Degree Program

2.2.M.Sc. in Horticulture

2.2.1.The Program

The Master of Science degree program in Horticulture crops has a course work requirement of at least 38 credits and six credits of research work on which a Thesis must be written and defended successfully.

2.2.2. Objective of the Program

The program will fully involve in training and research, and, partly in extension activities of horticultural crops production and management. The ultimate goal of the program is, therefore, to increase production and productivity of horticultural crops in the region in particular and in the country in general, and thereby to improve the livelihood of the people, and to improve foreign exchange earnings of the country through producing adequate number and high caliber horticultural specialists who play a key role in generation, dissemination and adoption of improved technologies.

The specific objectives of the program of post-graduate studies in Horticulture are to:

o   Produce horticultural professionals who can generate, demonstrate and distribute technologies in horticultural crops production, improvement and protection so as to improve productivity, sustainability and competitiveness of horticultural sector of the country;

o   Deliver nationally and internationally recognized graduate program and save foreign exchange that would be used to train aboard; and

o   Provide appropriate knowledge through integrating training, research and extension, so as to increase the efficiency and competitiveness of the graduates as horticulture professional.

2.2.3. Admission Requirements

It is presumed that students with a B.Sc. or equivalent degrees in Horticulture, Plant Sciences, and Crop Sciences, Biological Sciences or related fields are eligible to join the M.Sc. training in Horticulture with cumulative G.P.A. of at least 2.00, fulfillment of qualifying examination, and other admission requirements of the SGS. However, Students who are interested to join M.Sc. in Horticulture other than Horticulture and plant Sciences in their B.Sc. must take some under graduate courses with consultation of the department and their respective advisor. Those students who want to continue M.Sc. in Horticulture directly after B.Sc. graduation must have a cumulative G.P.A. of 2.75 and above. Applicants also fully satisfy the academic rules and regulation of the university. Applicants must also pass written entrance examination.

2.2.4. Graduation

The M.Sc. degree in Horticulture is awarded to a candidate who has satisfied the general SGS graduation requirements, passed in all examinations of courses in the program and successfully defended the Thesis.

2.2.5. Courses offered under this program

Ø  Advanced Biometry

Ø  Scientific Paper writing and communication skills

Ø  Graduate Seminar on Current Topics in Horticulture

Ø  Advanced Vegetable and Root & Tuber Crops Production and Management

Ø  Advanced Greenhouse Horticulture Production and Management

Ø  Floriculture and Landscaping €

Ø  Advanced Soil Fertility and Plant Nutrition

Ø  Advanced Plant Physiology

Ø  Advanced Post-harvest Physiology, Handling &Processing of Horticultural Crops

Ø  Irrigation Agronomy in Horticulture

Ø  Genetics and Breeding of Horticultural Crops

Ø  Advanced Fruit Crops Production and Management

Ø  Advanced Coffee Production and Processing

Ø  Advanced Tea, Spice and Medicinal plants Production and Processing

Ø  Integrated Pest Management of Horticultural Crops

Ø  Marketing Management of Horticultural Crops (E)

Ø  MSc. Thesis Research