Mekelle University Hosts Workshop for Agricultural Extension Students.
On March 11, 2025, the College of Dryland Agriculture and Natural Resources at Mekelle University held a workshop for the 9th cohort of agricultural extension students enrolled in the mid-career program. The annual workshop, focused on value chain-oriented presentations of Supervised Enterprise Projects, took place in the meeting hall of the Institute of Paleo-environment and Heritage Conservation.
The workshop emphasized the importance of aligning agricultural education with the needs of national development. Effective agricultural change can only occur when the education system is responsive to development goals. Success in agricultural education and training hinges on its integration into broader development programs that cater to the specific needs of farmers.
The Ethiopian agricultural production system faces numerous challenges, one of the most critical being the shortage of trained agricultural professionals in the areas of agricultural extension and rural development at the grassroots level.

In his opening speech, Dr. Negash Aragay, Dean of the College of Dryland Agriculture and Natural Resources (CoDANR), expressed gratitude to the workshop organizers and acknowledged the department for initiating this important event. Kidane Tesfay, Head of the Department of Rural Development and Agricultural Extension (RDAE), also welcomed the participants and encouraged their engagement in the workshop activities.