In this conversation, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) interviews Mulugeta Woldetsadik, Outreach Librarian/Information Professional at Hawassa University (HU), Ethiopia, who has extensive professional experience in Library & Information Services. Mulugeta Woldetsadik highlights the impact of FAO’s Access to Global Online Research in Agriculture (AGORA) collection, a subscription based database, which provides access to thousands of high-quality journals, e-books, and other information resources covering all of FAO's areas of interest. AGORA is one of the five collections that make up Research4Life.

Hawassa University, a leading higher education institution located in the Sidama region of Ethiopia, plays a critical role in advancing the region’s educational and social development. Since 2004, the university has been utilising AGORA, particularly within the College of Agriculture, to enhance its academic and research capabilities. 

Key Resources from AGORA for Hawassa University

AGORA offers invaluable resources that support research and education at Hawassa University. Some of the most useful resources include:

1. Agricultural and Environmental Science Journals: AGORA offers access to leading journals in agriculture, environmental science, forestry, and related fields. These resources are invaluable for research and innovation in areas such as crop production, sustainable farming, climate change, and biodiversity, which are vital for Ethiopia’s agricultural development.
2. Research Databases: Comprehensive databases like CAB Abstracts and AGRICOLA provide access to scholarly articles, reports, and technical papers that can support ongoing research in agricultural sciences, soil management, livestock studies, and agroforestry.
3. E-books and Monographs: AGORA includes a range of textbooks, handbooks, and monographs that can serve as essential resources for both undergraduate and postgraduate students in agriculture, food science, environmental conservation, and related disciplines.
4. Open Access Journals: AGORA also provides access to Open Access journals, which allow researchers and students to read, download, and distribute research freely. This supports Hawassa University’s advocacy for Open Access and helps reduce barriers to scholarly information.
5. Cross-Disciplinary Resources:.  Through Research4Life, AGORA integrates with other programs like HINARI, OARE, ARDI, and GOALI, offering a broader range of cross-disciplinary resources. This is crucial for tackling complex challenges such as food security, which requires a multidisciplinary approach involving public health, environmental sustainability, and technology.

"These resources align directly with the university’s mission to advance research, support academic growth, and contribute to sustainable agricultural practices in the region. Proper utilisation of these tools can enhance research output, inform teaching, and promote innovations critical to Ethiopia's agricultural sector," said Mulugeta Woldetsadik.

Impact on Research and Education

Hawassa University has already seen significant benefits from AGORA, particularly in advancing agricultural research that contributes to Ethiopia’s broader development goals. For example, access to peer-reviewed journals and databases has enabled the university to support cutting-edge research on soil management and climate change adaptation, which are vital to improving food security in the region. Additionally, students in the College of Agriculture have been able to access high-quality learning materials that enhance their knowledge and skills, preparing them to become leaders in the field.

Researchers & Research  Spotlight: Hawassa University College of Agriculture

The impact of AGORA is most evident in the research projects conducted by faculty members in the College of Agriculture. Mulugeta, Librarian/Information Professional at Hawassa University, highlighted the contributions of renowned and senior researchers, illustrating how AGORA supports impactful research that aligns with national priorities.

Research Aligned with National Goals: 

Faculty members at Hawassa University play a crucial role in advancing Ethiopia’s agricultural development and food security, leveraging FAO's AGORA database of innovations. Professor Sheleme Beyene contributes to ‘Improving Nutrition in Ethiopia through Plant Breeding and Soil Management. Similarly, Professor Adugna Tolera’s study on the ‘Inventory of feed resources in Ethiopia’, conducted through landscape analysis, provides vital insights for national food security strategies. Meanwhile, Professor Ajebu Nurfeta’s research focuses on evaluating the nutritive value of Enset (Ensete ventricosum) as livestock feed in Southern Ethiopia, offering valuable data to enhance the quality and supply of livestock feed, ultimately boosting livestock production and productivity.

Dr. Sintayehu Yigrem (an Associate Professor of Dairy Sciences) coordinates an SDG Graduate School called CLIFOOD-Climate Change Effects on Food Security, where over 25 PhD and 4 post-doctoral are involved in the project which is funded by DAAD-BMZ, Germany (https://clifood.uni-hohenheim.de/en ). He is also a PI of a new project called ‘Creating platform for professionals in Ethiopia (C2P- Ethiopia): Strengthening and accelerating institutional linkages among Ethiopian livestock research, learning, development and business institutions’- https://livestocklab.ifas.ufl.edu/projects/lcdsintayehu/ which is funded by the Feed the Future Program of USAID, under Livestock Systems Innovation Lab- LSIL of University of Florida, USA, is expected to bring together stakeholders of the livestock sector in Ethiopia. His new research project on Ethiopian Dairy Extension, gave him another responsibility as lead researcher, and the study covers the major milk sheds of Ethiopia-which is supported by BRIDGE+ (SNV). Dr. Sintayehu Yigrem has gained international recognition for their research on ‘climate-smart agriculture’, thanks to AGORA, which provides invaluable insights into how Ethiopian farmers can adapt to climate change.

These researchers are making significant strides in Ethiopia, contributing to global agricultural knowledge, and preparing the next generation of experts. As one of Ethiopia's eight research universities, Hawassa University aims to rank among East Africa’s top ten by 2030. Dr. Tarkengn Samago, Dean of the HU College of Agriculture, fosters innovation and collaboration. Under his leadership, the college aligns its research with national priorities, ensuring a meaningful impact on both the community and sustainable agricultural practices in Ethiopia.

Key Benefits of AGORA and Research4Life

Mulugeta identified several key advantages that AGORA brings to Hawassa University:

1. Access to High-Quality Research: Free or low-cost access to thousands of peer-reviewed journals, e-books, and databases in agriculture, health, environment, and related fields.
2. Promotes Sustainable Development: Facilitates research on critical topics like food security, environmental sustainability, and public health, driving solutions to global challenges.
3. Global Collaboration: Encourages knowledge exchange and collaboration with international researchers and institutions.
4. Cost Efficiency: Reduces financial barriers to accessing scientific information, especially in resource-limited settings like Ethiopia.

Looking Forward: Future Collaboration

The partnership between Hawassa University and AGORA holds great potential for advancing research, enhancing teaching, and promoting sustainable agricultural practices. As the university builds on its successes, plans are underway, in collaboration with FAO’s AGORA, to conduct Information and Digital Literacy Trainings. These efforts will deepen the integration of AGORA resources into academic curricula and research initiatives, further boosting research output and driving innovations critical to the region’s agricultural development.

Mulugeta Woldetsadik concluded by highlighting AGORA's potential to support Hawassa University, particularly the College of Agriculture, in making significant contributions to Ethiopia’s agricultural sector. He emphasised how AGORA enhances academic growth while improving the livelihoods of farmers across the region.