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 | ||