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Field of Agriculture

Department of Agricultural Economics

The Department of Agricultural Economics at Bensa Daye Campus of Hawassa University was established in 2014 G.C to equip professionals with economic principles and analytical skills that optimize resource allocation, strengthen agricultural value chains, promote sustainable practices, and contribute to food security and rural prosperity in Ethiopia.

The department is committed to academic excellence, impactful research, community engagement and technology transfer to foster Sustainable Development. Agricultural Economics Department offers degree programs in both regular and weekend modalities. Currently, the department hosts 163 regular and 48 weekend students. It has successfully graduated more than 74 students in the 2024 and 2025 G.C academic years.


The Department is staffed by five young, motivated, and fully dedicated professionals holding MSc/MA degrees in Agricultural Economics, Natural Resources Economics and Policy, and Development Economics. Its strength is demonstrated by the consistent success of its graduating students, all of whom have consecutively passed the Exit Examination. In addition, the staff members are actively engaged in research funded through the University’s Early Career Research Grant, further enhancing the department’s research capacity and visibility.

The Department offers a four-year training program designed to strengthen students’ theoretical knowledge and practical skills, preparing them for professional careers. Students are required to complete 152 credit hours or 255 ECTS, comprising 57 courses delivered through lectures, exercises, assignments, project work, field visits, term papers, and research activities.


All students are expected to adhere to the University’s Academic Legislation and Code of Conduct. Academic dishonesty—including cheating, fabrication, and plagiarism—is strictly prohibited and addressed in accordance with University regulations. Daily class activities vary and may include lectures, discussions, and interactive sessions, with active student participation strongly encouraged.

Students admitted from secondary schools must complete 152 credit hours or 255 ECTS by taking 57 courses and must maintain a minimum CGPA of 2.00, with no “F” grade in any course.

Employability of Graduates

Graduates of Agricultural Economics are highly competitive in the labor market. Approximately 75% of the 2024 G.C cohort are employed across government institutions, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and private sector entities. This strong employability rate reflects the relevance, quality, and practical orientation of the Department’s training program. 

Graduate Competencies

Upon successful completion of the program, graduates are expected to acquire knowledge, skills, and attitudes that enable them to:

  • Participate in the design, implementation, and evaluation of agricultural development projects;
  • Apply efficient resource utilization theories and practices for sustainable agricultural development;
  • Conduct feasibility studies and provide advice to investors, financial institutions, and the agriculture and allied sectors;
  • Support researchers and policymakers in agricultural production, productivity, marketing, and sustainable natural resource management;
  • Establish and operate their own businesses;
  • Train and advice small-scale farmers and agricultural entrepreneurs;
  • Serve as planners in agricultural offices;
  • Manage small-scale farms and agricultural enterprises;
  • Work as extension team members/leaders, market experts, and loan officers;
  • Assist teaching in higher learning institutions and technical and vocational training centers.
Research Activities

Over the past three years, the staff members of Agricultural Economics have actively participated in the range of research calls and have secured two disciplinary research projects, all conducted in full compliance with established research ethics. The Department is currently implementing an Early Career Research Grant project, further enhancing its contribution to knowledge generation and practical problem solving.

Department of Agribusiness and Value Chain Management

The department of Agribusiness and Value Chain Management (ABVM) at Hawassa University, Bensa Daye Campus, is dedicated to fostering the next generation of agricultural innovators and leaders. Established in 2019 G.C/2011 E.C/, the department is committed in producing graduates equipped with specialized knowledge and practical skills in the following key focus areas:  

KEY FOCUS AREAS:

Agribusiness development
  • Supports farmers, processors, traders, and retailers in adopting business-oriented practices.
  • Promotes entrepreneurship, access to finance, and market-driven production.
  • Integrates technology (e.g., digital tools) to boost productivity.
Value chain analysis and optimization
  • Maps and analyzes each stage of the agricultural value chain (inputs, production, processing, distribution, and retails, recycling and etc.).
  • Identifying value chain challenges (e.g., post-harvest losses, weak infrastructure) and solutions (e.g., cold storage, block chain traceability).
Market Access and Trade

  • Facilitates connections between producers and domestic as well as global markets.
  • Helps farmers meet quality standards (e.g., organic certifications) and comply with regulations.
Sustainability and Resilience

  • Promotes climate-smart practices, resource efficiency, and circular economy models.
  • Addresses challenges like climate change, soil degradation, and water scarcity.
Policy and Institutional Support

  • Advocates for policies that improve agricultural trade, subsidies, and infrastructure.
  • Strengthens institutions (e.g., cooperatives, farmer groups) for collective bargaining.

Academic Programs:

A four-year academic period is required to earn a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) degree in Agribusiness and Value Chain Management in Hawassa University Bensa Daye Campus. Students join the program after successfully completing the first year common courses offered at the University’s main campus.


The Department provides a strong foundation in both theoretical knowledge and practical skills to ensure students develop the competencies required in the profession. To graduate, students must complete a total of 158 credit hours or 250 ECTS.

Students who meet all graduation requirements will be awarded the  Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) degree in Agribusiness and Value Chain Management. Its Amharic version is “የሳይንስ ባችለር ዲግሪ በግብርና ቢዝነስ እና እሴት ሰንሰለት አስተዳደር”


The department offers a comprehensive range of programs, including: Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in Agribusiness and Value Chain Management: This full-time program provides a solid foundation in agribusiness principles, value chain management, marketing, finance, and entrepreneurship. The department offers both regular and weekend options for this program, catering to diverse student needs.


Future Programs: 

The Department is actively expanding its program modalities. Plans are underway to introduce winter and evening programs for B.Sc. students, offering greater flexibility for working professionals. In addition, the Department is preparing to launch an M.Sc. program in the near future.


Academic mission of the department

The core mission of the Department is to equip graduates with the knowledge, skills, and problem solving abilities required to advance agricultural commercialization and value addition within the country’s agricultural sector.

The Department is also mandated to strengthen linkages among stakeholders across the agricultural value chain—from farm to fork—while addressing economic, social, and environmental challenges.

Currently, the Department enrolls 87 students and has successfully graduated 88 students since its establishment.



Job opportunities

The graduates of ABVM department are uniquely positioned to contribute across sectors that are vital to national development: Banks and Financial Institutions, NGOs and Development Organizations, Government and Policy Roles (e.g., Ministry of Agriculture, ATA), Private Sector and Agribusiness, International Organizations (e.g., FAO, IFAD, SNV), Academic and Research Institutions (e.g. and University and Research Center), Cooperatives and PPPs, Entrepreneurship/The Frontier of Innovation. For visionary graduates, the emerging Agri-tech startup ecosystem, consultancy firms, and SME ventures offer fertile ground to pioneer innovative solutions - from block chain -based traceability to circular economy models. Graduates with entrepreneurial drive have the potential to meaningfully shape Ethiopia’s  Agri-sector transformation.  

Staffs’ statistics

The Department has a total of 10 academic staff members, of whom eight are currently on duty. The remaining two are on study leave pursuing their Ph.D. degrees.

Previous Efforts Made by the Department to Support the Success of Its Graduates

  • Effective teaching, mentoring/advising, tracer studies
  • 100% exit exam pass.
Participation of academic staff in research activities

  • Our staffs successfully executed three disciplinary research project 
  • The staff also contributed/participated in 10 scientific publications   

Department of  Plant Science

Established in 2011 E.C. alongside six other departments, the Department of Plant Science at Hawassa University, Daye Campus, serves as a center of academic excellence and scientific advancement.

The mission of the Department is to provide high quality education, produce well equipped graduates, and engage in problem solving research and community service. Over the past seven years, the Department’s staff have successfully conducted more than ten problem solving research projects and community service initiatives that have benefitted a wide range of stakeholders.


The Department offers a degree program in Plant Science in both regular and weekend modalities to meet the diverse needs of students. Currently, it is home to approximately 124 actively enrolled students across both programs. In the past three years, more than 86 students have graduated. A recent tracer study shows that 90% of these graduates have secured employment in government and non governmental organizations, demonstrating the relevance and quality of the training provided.


The Department’s strength lies in its twelve committed academic staff members, all holding the rank of Lecturer. Seven are currently on study leave pursuing their Ph.D. degrees, while the remaining five are actively engaged in teaching, learning, and research activities. The Department is recognized for its creativity, scientific expertise, productivity enhancement efforts, and active participation in critical research endeavors.

The Department is strongly committed to supporting student success and ensuring educational quality. This dedication was formally acknowledged in the 2015 E.C. academic year, when the Plant Science Department ranked second in a campus wide departmental competition for its contributions to quality education, effective student support, service delivery, and engagement in problem solving research and community service.

Looking ahead, the Department plans to continue strengthening its core pillars: delivering high quality education, engaging in impactful research, expanding community service based on identified gaps, and providing effective and student centered services.