Scientists from Punjab Agricultural University, India, visit Hawassa University.

Agricultural Scientists of Punjab University in India have visited Hawassa University to demonstrate the milestones of multilateral collaboration among Limerick University of Ireland, Regenerator Ireland, Hawassa University and Punjab University of Agriculture especially on agricultural mechanization in Sidama Region.

This visit on July 17, 2024 was aimed at physical demonstration and explanation of the realization of the anticipated Collaboration on Sustainable Development and Agrifood Systems Transformation in Sidama National Regional State signed on December 12/2023 in progress.

So far, a field lab in the IoT campus is established; a machinery testing facility in the IoT campus is conducted; training on machinery operation and maintenance is provided; digital farm system is installed and training on farm machinery digitization was conducted for IoT and Ethio-Farm PLC staff.

The principal scientist, Dr. Harminder Singh Sindu, explained that this collaboration is essential as India and Africa share strikingly similar features that call for the adaptation of Punjab University's experience in this regard.
He said that the core strategy is using less resources to produce more for more people, maximizing the potential of small inputs for greater yields.

Dr. Ayano Beraso, HU President, heartily appreciated the initiative of this multilateral collaboration as agriculture is also HU's first priority area. He expressed full support for the realization of this important cooperation as it empowers the university to be the source of initiation for the mechanization of agriculture in Ethiopia by expanding the experiment in Sidama region, modeling and modifying technology (agricultural machinery) and innovation.