The first stakeholder workshop of the LINK-351 project was held at Bahir Dar University

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March 1, 2025 (Bahir Dar University)

The first stakeholder platform workshop of the project identified as ‘Establishing Transformative Learning, Research and Community Outreach and Capacities in Agro ecology (LINK)’ was held at Bahir Dar University.

At the event, agricultural experts, the university academic staff and researchers, practitioners, representatives of the local community and other stakeholders have participated. 

In his opening speech at the workshop, the Vice President for Research and Community Engagement, Bahir Dar University, Professor Enyew Adgo said that the fact that the project brings together teaching-learning on Agroforestry, problem-solving research and concerned communities makes it unique. He stressed that it is very essential to use this opportunity to practically use results of research out of this project to go beyond publications and solve actual problems of the community.

He also said that in order to make the results of the research works of higher education institutions be used for development, research and practical works which are suitable according to the actual situation of the area should be carefully identified and implemented. Professor Enyew pointed out that the method of solving real social problems on the ground through research and projects is a method that should also be practiced in various academic units of the university.

In his keynote speech, the consultant of the Land Bureau of the Amhara National Regional State (ANRS), Dr. Belayneh Ayele, noted that it is very timely and important to expand the combination of agriculture and forestry in our country. For him, since the population in the country is increasing from time to time, it is necessary to increase the ecological conditions by planting more trees and paying attention to the expansion of forests.  On the other hand, Dr. Belayneh explained that since depletion of forests is increasingly becoming the main reason for soil erosion, identifying tree saplings that are suitable for the environment and planting them on agricultural lands should be given prior attention to solve the problem. 

While explaining current status of the project, the project coordinator, Dr. Zerihun Yohannes, on his part stated that Bahir Dar University is implementing the project in collaboration with the University College for Agrarian and Environmental Science (HAUP), Austria and the project is mainly aimed at introducing agro ecological practices, green pedagogy and transformative learning and for that the key activities in the implementation are made to include the promotion of green pedagogy, participatory action research, MSc Agroforestry Curriculum Review and Participatory Module Design, Community Engagement Activities for Farmer Family  Learning  Groups and the construction of practical demonstration sites.

Dr. Zerihun stated that this project, which is being implemented in collaboration with the University College for Agrarian and Environmental Pedagogy (HAUP) in Austria and has been in operation for nine months, has received a grant of 270,000 Euro from the Austrian Higher Education and Research Development Partnership Program (APPEAR) and the project will be completed in three years time.

In his statement, Dr. Zerihun, also added that in order to make the project fruitful, special attention has been given to community participation, gender and the inclusion of special needs right from the design of the project.

He concluded that the curriculum revision will be done in cooperation with the relevant parties within one month by incorporating the recommendations given in the discussion, and further discussions will also be made with the stakeholders on the implementation of the project in the future.

In his closing remark, the Dean of College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, bahir Dar University, Professor Melkamu Almayehu extended special thanks to the parties who designed the project and promised that his college, College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, will provide all the support necessary in the implementation of the project.

Those who participated in the workshop as stakeholders were divided into three groups namely academia, practitioners and community made discussions and provided valuable inputs that will be used in the revision of the MSc Agroforestry Curriculum in the project.