Jimma University welcomes new greenhouse
17 Jun 2011
As part of the NPT project Capacity Building for Sustainable Development of Horticulture in Ethiopia (2007-2011), implemented by LEI and PTC+, a new and modern greenhouse has been built at Jimma University College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine (JUCAVM). The greenhouse will be used for teaching and research.
The main purpose of the greenhouse is to provide a safe learning environment for practical training of students at both graduate and undergraduate level. In addition, it will help support needs-based research activities at the College. The overall aim of the project is to build JUCAVM's training capacity to support the rapidly modernising horticulture and floriculture export sector.
In addition to Jimma University, there are two other Ethiopian partners: the Ethiopian Horticulture Producers and Export Association (EHPEA) and the Ethiopian Horticulture Agency.
In full operation
The greenhouse has one propagation compartment, three vegetable compartments, one flower compartment and one hydroponic compartment. It also contains a service area and a cold room. All compartments are now operational. The hydroponic system is working and red ash has been put in to support seedling growth.
- Testing tomatoes..which one is best?
Switching from flowers to vegetables
Most flower farms in Ethiopia are starting to turn to vegetable production in greenhouses. Some farms have started large-scale production of tomatoes, potatoes and other vegetables.
To support this, the varieties of vegetables such as tomato, potato and others that are best adapted to greenhouse conditions need to be screened out and offered to the private and public sector.
A dozen varieties on offer
With this objective, 12 nationally released tomato varieties were planted in the greenhouse's vegetable compartments. They are now under evaluation to see which varieties perform best under greenhouse conditions. After one year, the first results will be available. Then, recommendations can be made as to how best meet the increasing demand to grow vegetables in the greenhouse.
In addition to indoor vegetable growth, vegetables like lettuce, Swiss chard, onion, tomato and carrot are grown on an outdoor field using water from the greenhouse. So far, this outdoor production has generated more than 1,500 birr (62 euros) for the College. This amount is set to increase as there are still crops on the field.
More information
- Visit the website of Jimma University
- Visit the website of EHPEA
- Visit the website of LEI
- Visit the website of PTC+
Download an overview of NPT projects in Ethiopia (23 kB)
