By African Demystifier
The Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research (EIAR) and Madda Walabu University (MWU) today have signed a Memorandum of Understanding ๏ผMoU๏ผ to work collaboratively towards the dissemination of scientific knowledge on agricultural biotechnology as part the effort undertaken by the Open Forum for Agriculture Biotechnology (OFAB) Ethiopia chapter.
As to OFABโs statement, Madda Walabu University has now been embraced as one of the OFAB โNodesโ in Ethiopia and it will soon host the 7th OFAB meeting to widen networking with relevant university stakeholders and engage the community in the surrounding and realize capacity building efforts.
The common goal of the to parties is to create a platform for scientists and other stakeholders to discuss various issues related to biotechnology and its relationship to agricultural development in South Eastern part of Ethiopia. OFAB is designed to facilitate the flow of credible information among the scientific community, policy makers and the general public while providing an opportunity for key stakeholders to know one another, share knowledge and experiences, make new contacts and explore to new avenues of bringing the benefits of biotechnology to the Ethiopian agricultural sector.
This Node will collaborate in organizing OFAB events for strengthening inter-institutional networking and sharing of credible and factual information in agricultural biotechnology.
OFAB Nodes in Ethiopia are used as a knowledge sharing platforms for agricultural biotechnology. OFAB is increasingly reaching to different part of the country strategically through its Nodes. Nodes are local stakeholder platforms established embracing universities research centers, civic societies, farmersโ organizations and also government offices within 150 km radius.
On Feb 16, 2023 a new OFA Node established for the South East part of Ethiopia to effectively address issues related to agricultural biotechnology. Madda Walabu University is the host for the Node in South Eastern Ethiopia. The node covers diverse stakeholders working in Bale, West Arsi and Borena administrative zones in Oromia regional state. Bale and Arsi zones represent the top wheat producers of the country and with high biodiversity and different agro-ecological zones.
Bezabih Wondimu (PhD), vice president for academic and research officially opened the workshop and delivered key inspiring messages. The Vice president gave remarks on what the platform can do potentially to serve the community and maintain sustainable development in the sub-region. He emphasized the need to harness biotechnology for the production challenges in the mandate areas.
He also underscored the need for such platform as a new energy towards opening up of linkages among like-minded institutions in the SE of the country. He mentioned the readiness of his university and willingness to cooperate for the attainment of the common goal. The Moto of MWU is โExcellence through Diversityโ. Its major impact areas are from its strong endeavor in the areas of health, biodiversity, tourism and agriculture. The OFAB-Eth secretariat members have presented on various topics related to OFAB and ways forward in working together with MWU.
The Open Forum on Agricultural Biotechnology in Africa (OFAB) is a platform that brings together stakeholders in biotechnology and enables interactions between scientists, journalists, the civil society, industrialists, lawmakers and policy makers. It provides an opportunity for key stakeholders to know one another, share knowledge and experiences, make new contacts and explore new avenues of bringing the benefits of biotechnology to the African agricultural sector.