A high-level delegation from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), led by Mr. Orlando Sosa, Agricultural Officer at the Sub-Regional Office for Eastern Africa, and Mr. Amenti Chali, Agronomist at the FAO Ethiopia Country Office, paid a two-day working visit to AMU from October 2–3, 2025. The mission aimed to explore AMU’s achievements in enset research, production, processing, and commercialization, and to identify areas of collaboration that could enhance the crop’s contribution to food security and market development. Click here to see more photos.
The FAO team visited the University’s enset research laboratories, food product showrooms, value-added product facilities, and tissue culture centers located at Abaya and Kulfo campuses of AMU as well as the Lucy Enset Processing Site. They also visited women-led enset craft enterprises, traditional and modern processing pilot sites, and AMU-Dorze Enset Park which serves as a demonstration and training hub for enset nursery management and farmer skill development. The visit provided the delegation with a comprehensive understanding of AMU’s integrated approach that synergizes research, technology, entrepreneurship, and community engagement.
AMU President, Abdella Kemal (PhD, Ing.), welcomed the FAO delegation and reaffirmed the University’s strong commitment to collaborative research and innovation that brings tangible impact to society. AMU hosts several centers of excellence, with the Enset Research Center being a flagship initiative dedicated to transforming the perception and utilization of enset from a regional staple into a nationally and globally recognized food crop Dr. Abdella emphasized. Enset, often referred to as Ethiopia’s “tree against hunger,” supports the livelihood of over 20 million people, yet remains underutilized in many parts of the country; hence, AMU’s goal is to promote this climate-resilient and drought-tolerant crop as a major component of sustainable food systems and as a driver of inclusive market opportunities, he noted.
Vice President for Research and Cooperation, Teklu Wegayehu (PhD), highlighted that AMU, as one of Ethiopia’s eight research-led universities, places partnership and innovation at the core of its mission. Through collaboration with national and international institutions, Dr. Teklu said, the University seeks to accelerate research translation, technology adoption, and value chain development. The joint initiatives such as this visit from FAO serve as a platform to connect science with market-driven solutions that can strengthen livelihoods and foster economic growth, he assured.
Senior Enset Researcher and Innovator, Addisu Fekadu (PhD), briefed the FAO team on the progress of enset research, product development, and pilot commercialization efforts. He explained that the visit followed preliminary discussion held at FAO Headquarters in Rome in July and aimed to build a shared understanding of AMU’s ongoing work in transforming enset from a traditional crop into a modern food and industrial commodity. Dr. Addisu also noted that the University’s research agenda aligns with FAO’s objectives on food security, resilience, and value chain diversification offering an excellent foundation for future joint programs.
On the second day, a technical and reflection session brought together FAO representatives, AMU leadership, and regional stakeholders to review the status, opportunities, and challenges of enset research and commercialization. Presentations by Addisu Fekadu (PhD) and Gezahegn Garo (PhD) guided discussion on production efficiency, product diversification, technology transfer, and market development. The session fostered a shared commitment to establish a collaborative framework that leverages AMU’s innovative enset technologies and FAO’s technical expertise to enhance sustainable agribusiness, promote women-led enterprises, and strengthen enset’s contribution to Ethiopia’s economy and export market.
The visit concluded with a strong commitment from both sides to continue exploring partnership models that integrate research, innovation, and market development. By bridging science and commercialization, AMU aims to position enset as a globally competitive crop that not only strengthens food and nutrition security but also opens new investment opportunities in the emerging bio-economy sector.
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