Ciara Varley, Angharad Johnston, Charles Spillane.
The LEG4DEV project welcomed nine postgraduate researchers from Ethiopian universities to ILRI-Ethiopia to engage in planning for their legume-scaling research and innovation projects
The LEG4DEV project has partnered with Ethiopian universities and the International Livestock Research Institute to provide financial and scientific support to nine legume-scaling research projects conducted by MSc and PhD researchers based in Ethiopia. The postgraduate researchers and their academic supervisors are from Haramaya University, Jimma University and Addis Ababa University in Ethiopia.
In partnership with the Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM) university network, the LEG4DEV project issued a call to identify ongoing PhD and Masters level research projects (of relevance to legume scaling for development outcomes) underway in universities in Ethiopia, Malawi, Tanzania and Zambia. The nine projects selected for LEG4DEV partnership and support in Ethiopia were selected from 39 expressions of interest received across the four countries.
The nine selected legume-scaling projects, as well as the students and respective supervisors, that LEG4DEV and Ethiopian universities will partner on are:
- Effects of Faidherbia albida (Delile) A. in soil moisture retention in mixed cropping systems and landscapes (by Galfato Gabiso, supervised by Prof. Nigussie Dachassa, Haramaya University)
- Managing soybean and rhizobium compatibility for boosting N yield and resilient household nutrition security in Southwest Ethiopia (by Tajuden Sultan, supervised by Dr. Amsalu Nebiyu, Jimma University)
- Characterisation and identification of genomic regions of biochemical traits for biofortification in Lima bean (Phaseolus lunatus L.) accessions (by Tariku Edossa Kasahun, supervised Dr. Amsalu Nabiyu, Jimma University)
- Impact of climate change on legume-based climate adaptation strategies of smallholder farmers in the Central Ethiopian region (by Mesfin Gorsamo, supervised by Prof. Dessalegn Obsi Gemeda, Jimma University)
- Climate Resilient Agricultural Practices in Maize belt area: Based on Common bean and Pepper Grown of Central Rift Valley areas of Ethiopia (by Tesfasilassie Girma Mugoro, supervised by Prof. Wassu Mohammed, Haramaya University)
- Land use land cover change Induced climate and water resource dynamics and its effect on legume and cereal production (by Birbiraw Deresse Kebie, supervised by Dr. Kassahun Ture, Addis Ababa University)
- Using participatory and scenario-planning scaling-out tools, identify and facilitate knowledge transfer to innovation platforms, agribusiness and value chain interventions that accelerate legume scaling for development outcomes (by Mezbahu Huseen Ahimed, supervised by Prof. Osman Rahmeta, Jimma University)
- Analysis of Haricot bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) profitability and sustainability for agro-ecological intensification in Ethiopia (by Hawi Mohammed Yasin, supervised by Dr. Amsalu Nebiyu, Jimma University)
- Evaluation of Inoculated Mung bean [Vigna radiata L.] Varieties for Symbiotic, Agronomic, Nutritional quality and Rotational Effects to Cereal Crops in Ethiopia (by Betewulign Eshetu Ademe under the supervision of Dr. Tarekegn Yosef.of Hawassa University)
A key goal of the partnership is to support the postgraduate researchers and their academic supervisors to generate more impactful outputs, outcomes and impacts arising from legume scaling in Ethiopia. With support from ILRI scientists Dr. Dawit Solomon, Dr. Teferi Demissie, and Dr. John Recha, the LEG4DEV project directly supports Ethiopia’s agricultural transformation agenda by integrating scientific research, sustainable intensification, and market-driven solutions to enhance food security, climate resilience, and rural livelihoods. The project’s multi-stakeholder collaboration ensures that research translates into real-world impact, accelerating Ethiopia’s progress toward a more resilient, productive, and sustainable agricultural sector.
The postgraduate students being supported by LEG4DEV in Ethiopia are: Galfato Gabiso, Tajuden Sultan, Tariku Edossa Kasahun, Mesfin Gorsamo, Tesfasilassie Girma Mugoro, Birbiraw Deresse Kebie, Mezbahu Huseen Ahimed, Hawi Mohammed Yasin, Betewulign Eshetu Ademe.
The associated supervisors are Prof. Nigussie Dachassa, Dr. Amsalu Nebiyu, Dr. Temesgen Matiwos, Dr. Amsalu Nebiyu, Dr. Zeleke Wondimu, Prof. Dessalegn Obsi Gemeda, Prof. Wassu Mohammed, Dr. Kassahun Ture, Prof. Osman Rahmeta, Dr. Amsalu Nabiyu and Dr. Tarekegn Yosef.
Congratulations to the selected postgraduate students and their academic supervisors!