Crop production farm
Wolaita Sodo Agricultural College was established in 1964 E.C as WADU used as Training center. Became College since in 1994. Currently for College have six department and two large farms. This two major farm are crop and animal farm. By integrating these two farms Wolaita Sodo agricultural college generate income, provide training to achieve practical education, Research, community service and technology transfer into the curriculum delivery, prepare students for successful careers in crop production, animal production and sustainable agriculture. The college is lied 72 hectares of land. Total area of land for farm in general is 32.35ha; from this area of land 20.0525 ha or 62% was allocated for crop production.
Site Location of Wolaita Sodo Agricultural College lies between 6.40S through7.10N latitude & 37.40 through 38.20E longitude. It consists of highland, mid land, lowland climatic zones. The mean rainfall of Wolaita 600mm to 1400 mm. Altitude ranges 1200m through 2800m altitude above sea level. Its distance from Addis Ababa is 380 km on Shashamane Arbaminchi road.
Different Projects/NGOs supporting the Crop production farm and departments interested to work collaborate so far like SNV Horti-LIFE, KFW,BFA (Bright Future in Agriculture),TDA(Terepeza Development Association) with our college. All these efforts are geared towards support to advancement and promotion of the Soil fertility management (vermicomposting production technology), crop production and horticulture farm to boost production and productivity.Crop production farm activities in Wolaita Sodo agricultural college typically encompass a variety of key components that provide students with practical experience and knowledge as well as income generation and technology transfer in the crop field. Here are some essential components:
- Crop Selection and Rotation
- Planting Techniques
- Irrigated wheat production
- Pest and Disease Management
- Vegetable and Fruit production
- Agronomic crop production
- Harvesting Post-Harvest Handling
- Drip irrigated vegetable farm
- Research and Experimentation
- Community Engagement and Outreach
- Integrated urban agriculture Crop
- Root and tuber crop production
- Propagation/Grafting techniques
- Agro-food processing
- Nursery seedling management
- Monitoring and Data Collection
Fig1. Design of college Farm on Map
Wolaita Sodo AVET College Crop farm Crop rotation plan to be implemented
| No | Crop field No | Area(ha) | Crop rotation plan |
| 1 | Crop farm 1 | 1 | Vegetable, fruit, Root and tuber |
| 2 | Crop farm2 | 1.82 | Cereal, Vegetable, Root and tuber, Pulse and oil crops |
| 3 | Crop farm 3 | 0.85 | Papaya, Vegetable, cereal |
| 4 | Crop farm 4 | 1.85 | Cereal, Vegetable, Root and tuber, Pulse and oil crops |
| 5 | Crop farm 5 | 1.65 | Cereal, Vegetable, Root and tuber, Pulse crops |
| 6 | Crop farm 6 | 2 | Cereal, Vegetable, Root and tuber, Pulse crops |
| 7 | Crop farm 7 | 1.6 | Pulse and oil crops |
| 8 | Crop farm 8 | 1.5 | Banana farm |
| 9 | Perennial crop | 3.67 | Improved Avocado farm |
| 10 | Coffee field | 1.46 | Coffee farm |
| 11 | Botanical and vertical garden | 0.25 | Vegetable, fruit, spice, medicinal and ornament plants |
| 12 | Vermicomposting production | 0.0625 | Vermicultulture,vermicomposting and normal compost |
| 13 | Fruit and Vegetable nursery mgt | 2.34 | Fruit and Vegetable |
| Total Area | 20.0525 |
Prepared by: Merkineh Meja (Senior Agronomist) crop production dept head