About the Department

The Department of Rural Development and Agricultural Extension started to offer the course in 2008 academic calendar. However, the Department of Agricultural Economics is among one of the oldest departments in the Ethiopian Higher Education. Currently, the Department has adopted the new harmonized curriculum as of 2021 and has been offering an undergraduate program leading to the Degree of Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in Rural Development and Agricultural Extension by experienced and qualified faculties. The department is running undergraduate program as a regular program.. The program has been making its own contribution to the development efforts through producing skilled and competent professionals, in areas such as socioeconomic research and development, agricultural marketing, agricultural entrepreneurship, and policy analysis etc.

Department Facilities

The Department of Rural Development and Agricultural Extension offers courses in comfortable classrooms in the College of Dryland Agriculture. Furthermore, the department has well established and well-equipped computer laboratory for practical courses such as Statistical, Econometrics software, and Computer Applications in Agriculture.

Department Administration

The Department Head is selected from among the teaching staff of the department on the basis of merit and interest as soon as the college announces the vacancy for the post. The term of office of the Department Head is two years. Currently, Mr. kedir Ebrahim . is serving as Head of the Department.

Contact Address

Email: kedirebrahim88@gmail.com

Mobile: +251-925-882-911

P.O. Box: 132, Semera, Afar, Ethiopia.

Bachelor Programs

Program Objectives

General Objectives;

The general objective of the B.Sc. degree program in Rural Development and Agricultural Extension is to produce competent, skilled, and committed agricultural economics professionals capable of bringing change in the agricultural economy.

Specific Objectives;

The specific objectives of this academic program are to,

  • Produce knowledgeable graduates in the field of Rural Development and Agricultural Extension who can assist efficient and sustainable use of the societies‟ scarce resources;
  • Produce committed, motivated, socially accountable and qualified Rural Development and Agricultural Extension expert who undertake problem-solving socio-economic researches in the field;
  • Produce graduates who will engage in community services, and

Provide consultancy and advisory services to governmental and/or non-governmental organizations

Graduate Profiles

The intended graduate of Rural Development and Agricultural Extension is generally capable to develop extension information on farm production methods and technologies. He/she can analyses and evaluate linkages of production with processing, distribution and final consumer demand. The graduate is also an expert in understanding and interpreting the linkages between: agriculture and the environment; adoption of technology   and decision-maker; and prepare dynamic careers in, natural resources, and the environment & extension interaction. The curriculum has been designed in a way that combines rural development and agricultural fundamentals with insights into the dynamic social, technological and environmental forces that shape production and marketing decisions.

After successful completion of the training, the graduates are expected to gain knowledge skills and attitude that enable them to:

  • Participate in design, implementation and evaluation of agricultural development projects;
  • Apply effective and efficient resource utilization theories and practices for sustainable agricultural development;
  • Involve in feasibility studies and advise investors, financial institutions, agriculture and allied sectors;
  • Assist researchers and policy makers in agricultural production and productivity; marketing and sustainable use of natural resource and environment;
  • Establish and operate their own business;
  • Train and advise small scale farmers and agricultural entrepreneurs;
  • Serve as planners in agricultural offices;
  • Manage small scale farms and agricultural enterprises;
  • Work as Extension team member/leader, Market expert and Loan officer; and
  • Assist teaching at Higher Learning, technical and vocational training institutions.

The training is a four-year program. It offers theoretical knowledge and practical skills to qualify the students for the intended professional profile. Students are required to take a total of 152 credit hours or 251 ECTS

Admission Requirements

Students admitted directly from secondary school are required to meet the national higher education enrollment criteria of that year. After successfully completing first year common courses, students will join the program competitively based on their interest, grade point of the first year and performance in quantitative courses. Others like re-admission and advance standing shall be treated according to the academic rules and regulations of the Universities.

Graduation Requirements

Students who are directly admitted from secondary school are expected to take a total of 152 credit hours (56 courses). At the end of the program, the student is required to have a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 2.00 with no “F” letter grade in any course.

Degree Nomenclature

Students who have successfully completed graduation can earn the following degree:

Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) degree in Rural Development and Agricultural Extension in Amharic version as

“የሳይንስ ባችለር ዲግሪ በገጠር ልማት እና ግብርና ኤክስቴንሽን”

 

Year I Semester I
S.No Course Title Course Code Cr.Hr ECTS
1 Communicative English Language Skills I FLEn 1011 5 3
2 General Physics Phys1011 5 3
3 General Psychology Psyc1011 5 3
4 Mathematics For natural science Math 1011 5 3
5 Critical Thinking LoCT1011 5 3
6 Physical Fitness SpSc 1011 P/F 2
7 Geography of Ethiopia and the horn GeES1011 5 3
Total 30 20
Semester II
1 General Biology Bio1012 3 5
2 General Chemistry Chem1012 3 5
3 Moral and Civic Education MCiE1012 2 3
4 Introduction to Emerging Technologies EmTe1012 3 5
5 History of Ethiopia and the Horn Hist1012 3 5
6 Social Anthropology Anthg1012 2 3
7 Communicative English Language skills II FLEn1012 3 5
Total 19 31

 

 

Year II Semester I
S.No Course Title Course Code Cr.Hr ECTS
1 Introduction to Rural Development RDAE211 3 5
2 Introduction to Agricultural Extension RDAE221 3 5
3 Introduction to Computer Applications CoSc231 3 5
4 Soil and Water Conservation NaRM241 3 5
5 Crop Production and Management PlSc251 3 5
6 Livestock Production and Management AnSc251 3 5
Total 18 30
Semester II
1 Introduction to Statistics Stat212 3 5
2 Extension Program, Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation RDAE222 3 5
3 Agricultural and Rural Innovation Systems RDAE232 2 3
4 Introduction to Climate Smart Agriculture RDAE242 1 2
5 Introduction to Economics AgEc252 3 5
6 Agro-Forestry Systems and Practices NaRM262 2 3
7 Post-Harvest Technology FSPT272 2 3
8 Inclusiveness Incl281 2 3
Total 18 29

 

 

 

 

Year III Semester I
S.No Course Title Course Code Cr.Hr ECTS
1 Communication for Rural Innovation RDAE311 3 5
2 Adult Learning and Audio Visual Techniques RDAE321 3 5
3 Agricultural Knowledge and Information System RDAE3312 3 5
4 Development Economics AgEc341 3 5
5 Econometrics AgEc351 3 5
6 Research Method for Social Science RDAE261 3 5
7 Community Based Field Project I (Planning Phase) RDAE371 1 2
Total 19 32
Semester II
1 Farming Systems Research and Innovation RDAE312 3 5
2 Participatory Approaches and Methods for Rural Innovation RDAE322 2 3
3 Training for Capacity Development RDAE332 2 3
4 Agricultural Journalism RDAE342 2 3
5 Agricultural Marketing and Rural Finance RDAE352 3 5
6 Agricultural Machinery and Implements RDAE362 3 5
7 Community Based Field Project II (Implementation Phase) RDAE372 1 2
8 Senior Research Project Proposal RDAE382 2 3
Total 18 29

 

Year IV Semester I
S.No Course Title Course Code Cr.Hr ECTS
1 Rural Livelihoods and Social Welfare RDAE411 3 5
2 Gender and Youth in Rural Development RDAE421 3 5
3 Environment and Sustainable Development RDAE431 3 5
4 Agricultural Project Planning and Analysis AgEC441 3 5
5 Farm Management AgEc451 3 5
6 Introduction to Value Chain in Agriculture ABVM461 2 3
7 Senior Seminar on Current Issues RDAE471 1 2
8 Community Based Field Project III (Evaluation Phase and Village Stay Camp) RDAE481 2 3
Total 20 33
Semester II
1 Entrepreneurship and Business Development MnGt412 3 5
2 ICT in Agricultural Extension RDAE422 1 2
3 Rural Development Policies and Strategies RDAE432 3 5
4 Rural Organizations and Cooperatives RDAE442 3 5
5 Introduction to Management and Organizational Behaviour MnGt452 3 5
6 Nutrition Sensitive Agriculture FSPT462 3 5
7 Global Trends GlTr472 2 3
8 Senior Research Project Report and Seminar RDAE482 3 5
Total 21 35