ETH-Soil kicks off at Jimma University

28.09.2022

In September, a DBFZ delegation was finally able to visit Jimma University in a first trip to Ethiopia. The aim was to advance planning of construction works for a biogas plant as well as experience exchange on past efforts in pyrolysis cookstove development, biochar and organic fertiliser production. The exchange also covered existing curricula and teaching capacities as well as new academic units for the advancement of consultancy, training and project implementation. Roman Adam, Dr. Steffi Formann, Prof. Dr. P.-Walter Stinner, Dr. Marcel Pohl, Markus Lenhart, Dr. Sven Schaller, and Kerstin Wilde participated in the mission.

Due to the high interest among faculties of Jimma University, the first meeting with the DBFZ-Team had to be transferred from a meeting room to a lecture hall at the Jimma University in Ethiopia on 28 September 2022. Dr. Netsanet Workineh, Vice President for Research and Community Services of Jimma University, welcomed the DBFZ team on behalf of the President, Dr. Jemal Abafita (PhD). She underlined the full readiness of Jimma University to cooperate on the ETH-Soil project.

On behalf of the DBFZ team, ETH-Soil project manager Kerstin Wilde presented the background, main components and expected outcomes of the project. She also expressed full appreciation of Jimma University’s expertise in #biochar production and application as well as related research publications. The DBFZ team was more than happy to finally get into direct contact with colleagues and was extremely grateful for the warm welcome.

Cooperation partners at Jimma University who waited patiently for the projects‘ take off and greately facilitated preparations as well as the first DBFZ visit, like Abebe Nigussie (PhD, Assistant Prof. of Soil Quality / Fertility), took the opportunity to highlight the extend of soil degradation in Ethiopia, competencies and research achievements of the agricultural faculty. Likewise, Prof. Venkata Ramaya, summarised and illustrated all the efforts undertaken in past years with respect to functional pyrolysis cookstoves as well as the learnings derived during the process. 

Lastly, the aspirations of Jimma University were highlighted with short introductions to the newly created „Renewable Energy Research, Development & Training Center“ (Dr. Emirew Getahun) and the „Ethiopian Institute of Resilience to Climate Change“ (Dr. Kefelegn Getahun).