Overview: The significance of Plant Breeding has grown substantially in contemporary society, impacting various aspects such as food security and climate change. Recent technological advancements have facilitated innovations including, association mappings with better resolution, genomic selection, genetic engineering, and CRISPR-Cas-Based Genome Editing. There is an increasing demand for novel technologies in plant breeding aimed at achieving food self-sufficiency while ensuring the protection of the delicate environment and preventing the overexploitation of natural resources. Consequently, both governmental bodies and industries are prioritizing this essential area.
PhD Program: Jimma University provides Ethiopia’s premier PhD program in Plant Breeding, focusing on the comprehensive education of students in both theoretical knowledge and practical skills. This program prioritizes advanced topics in genetics, molecular breeding, bioinformatics, alongside quantitative and population genetics, as well as research-driven development of new varieties that cater to the specific needs of Africa. The objective is to elevate the country’s presence in the global research arena. The curriculum is designed to align with international standards while also fulfilling local demands.
Impact: Graduates will play a crucial role in advancing Africa’s academic and research landscape, introducing innovative approaches in response to the ongoing challenges posed by climate change. This program aims to alleviate the deficit of technical experts in this sector, preparing students with the necessary competencies to confront both present and future issues related to food security.
Goal:
- The goal of the PhD program in Plant Breeding is to cultivate highly skilled and qualified plant breeder.
Objectives:
- Produce capable graduates with strong theoretical and practical knowledge of plant breeding for undertaking teaching, research, extension, and decision-making.
- Develop improved plant varieties that could fit the different agro-ecological regions under the current climate change scenario.
- Promote collection, characterization, evaluation, conservation and utilization of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture.
- Contribute towards the development of efficient seed system.
- Train graduates that formulate agricultural policies that make informed decisions to address both existing and emerging challenges posed by biotic and abiotic factors
Vision:
- To produce skilled graduates with advanced research abilities to improve plant varieties, benefiting small-scale farmers in developing nations.
Mission:
- Deliver high-quality, theoretical and practical education to produce top tier plant breeding graduates who develop innovations, policies, and decisions to mitigate against the current and emerging crop pests, diseases, and weeds for improved food security, human health and nutrition, and sustainable management of natural resources.
Advancing Sustainable Development through Plant Breeding
The PhD program in Plant Breeding at Jimma University contributes to addressing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set by the Department of Economic and Social Affairs of the United Nations. The program will have direct impact on:
No Poverty (SDG 1): By offering the necessary theory and skill, the program will contribute for development of better yielding crops resilient to biotic and abiotic challenges there by addressing subsistence farmers to help reduce poverty.
Zero Hunger (SDG 2): Enhance productivity through equipping students with the theory and practical skill of crop improvements for better yield, quality, and tolerant to biotic and abiotic stresses in the current changing climate scenario.
Good Health and Wellbeing (SDG 3): The program contributes towards good health and wellbeing through breeding for nutritional quality and indigenous crops with better nutritional and health attributes.
Quality Education (SDG 4): The program will have high impact in mobilizing students between countries so that students can expose themselves to new cultures, experience and perspectives that would enhance the quality of education.
Gender Equality (SDG 5): This program encourages enrollment of less advantaged and female candidates. Half of the available PhD positions are dedicated to female applicants.
Responsible Consumption and Production (SDG 12): The program encourages the utilization of untapped and underutilized crops through breeding of such orphan crops for better yield and edibility in order to reduce burden on the few common food crops and diversify the food choice.
Climate Action (SDG 13): The program addresses topics towards developing tolerant crop plants towards diseases, insect pests and weeds so that application of chemicals towards the pests can be reduced.
Partnerships for the Goals (SDG 17): The program is initiated considering the incoming students from different African countries and abroad paving ways for collaborations with their respective home universities and research institutions for the common goal.
