An overview of Agriculture Faculty of Ghazni University

Agriculture sector shapes the backbone of economy in many developing countries. Similarly, the role of agriculture sector has been crucial in the national economy of Afghanistan for centuries. On the basis of figures published by the Central Statistical Organization of Afghanistan (CSO), the contribution of agriculture sector to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and labor force is 25% and 34% respectively (CSO, 2013). However, In Afghanistan, practicing subsistent agriculture in general and keeping livestock in particular, have been the main sources of livelihood of the farmers for thousand years. As a result, National Risk and Vulnerability Assessment (NRVA) (2011-12) found out that almost 47% of the households are depended on agriculture sector while 23% are relied on livestock activities.

            Considering the vital roles and importance of the agriculture sector in Afghanistan as a whole and in Ghazni province in particular, the Faculty of Agriculture as one of the key faculties at Ghazni University established in 2008. Within this Faculty, the production of agricultural plants, raising animals, and the fundamentals of agricultural science and theories are studied. Beside teaching community and market oriented subjects, professional researches in the field of agriculture and extension are also conducted. Papers and articles are published by academic cadres in various national and international journals to contribute to academic society. Since establishment, this faculty has been under the direct academic support and affiliation of Ministry of Higher Education, and Agriculture Faculty of Kabul University. At the beginning, this faculty had only two departments which were Agronomy and Horticulture with 6 academic members and 180 students. Later on, in 2011, the Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension was also found under the framework of Agriculture Faculty. Currently (2018), the overall academic members of this Faculty reach to 22 men lecturers. Among these lecturers, the majority (11) of them holds master degrees whereas 8 lecturers are pursuing master and 1 Doctoral studies currently. Beside the academic members, the administrative personnel of the faculty reaches to 4 which are introduced on the next page (See Table 1). At the moment, around 650 undergraduate students are studying in this Faculty which only 18 of them are female. For the total number of graduated students from the Faculty since establishment, see figure 1.

 Based on the MOUs signed, mutual academic and technical cooperation and relationship exist between Agriculture Faculty, and Ghazni Department of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock (DAIL), and Norwegian Organization located in Ghazni city.   

 

 

 

Members of Academic Cadres and Employees of Ghazni Agriculture Faculty (2018)

 

No.	Full name	Department	Degree	Location (Country conducted MSc)	Status	Responsibility
1	Asst. Prof. Mahammad Omer (Derwash)	Horticulture	MSc	Kazakhstan	Graduated	Dean of Faculty
2	Asst. Prof. Habibullah (Hamayoun)	Horticulture	MSc	India	Graduated	Head of Department
3	Asst. Prof. Mohammad Masood (Nicnam)	Agricultural Economics and Extension	MSc	Japan	Graduated	Department Head
4	Asst. Prof. Mohammad Qayoom (Mangal)	Agronomy	MSc	Afghanistan	Graduated	Department Head
5	Asst. Prof. Ahmad Reza (Salihi)	Agronomy	MSc	India	Graduated	Academic member & vice chancellor of the students affairs
6	Asst. Prof. Mohammad Mahdi (Samim)	Agronomy	MSc	Kazakhstan	Graduated	Academic member
7	Asst. Prof. Jawid (Ehsas)	Agronomy	MSc	India	Graduated	Academic member
8	Asst. Prof. Mohammad Naim (Jalali)	Agronomy	MSc	Afghanistan	Graduated	Academic member
9	Asst. Prof. Sayed Rahim (Ghafari)	Agronomy	MSc	Afghanistan	Graduated	Academic member
10	Asst. Prof. Shafiqullah (Rahmani)	Horticulture	MSc	Malesia	Graduated	Academic member
11	Asst. Prof. Mohammad Amin (Omary)	Animal Science	MSc	Afghanistan	Graduated	Academic Member
12	Asst. Prof. Mahmud (Hemat)	Agronomy	MSc	China	Ongoing	Academic member
13	Asst. Prof. Mirza Mohammad (Modaser)	Agronomy	MSc	Afghanistan	Ongoing	Academic member
14	Asst. Prof. Hashmatulla (Sayes)	Forestry and Natural Resources	MSc	India	Ongoing	Academic member
15	Asst. Prof. Shafiqullah (Rahmani)	Horticulture	PhD	Japan	Ongoing	Academic Member
16	Asst. Prof. Ehsanullah (Akramzoi)	Horticulture	MSc	India	Ongoing	Academic Member
17	Asst. Prof. Habibullah (Habibi)	Agricultural Economics and Extension	MSc	Afghanistan	Ongoing	Academic Member
18	Asst. Prof. Rohullah (Kamal)	Animal science	MSc	Iran	Ongoing	Academic Member
19	Habibullah (Faizi)	Animal science	MSc	Afghanistan	Ongoing	Academic Member
20	Asst. Prof. Ghulam Maruf (Faqiri)	Horticulture	BSc	Introduced for MSc	Result unclear	Academic Member
21	Asst. Prof. Abdul Wasi (Tajzadah)	Horticulture	BSc	Introduced for India MSc	Result unclear	Academic Member
22	Asst. Prof. Fazel Mohammad (Mohammadi)	Agricultural Economics and Extension	BSc	Introduced for India MSc	Result unclear	Academic Member
23	Asst. Prof. Sayed Rahman (Samimi)	Plant protection	BSc	Introduced for India MSc	Result unclear	Academic Member
24	Mohammad Ibrahim (Shafaq)	General director of teaching affairs	High school graduate	.	.	Administrative staff
25	Izmarai     (Aslami)	Farm manager	BSc	.	.	Administrative staff
26	Abdul Sabur (Shokori)	Executive manager	Graduate of 14th class	۰	۰	Administrative staff
27	Sayed Shafiullah	Farmer	.	.	.	Administrative staff

Main challenges

Despite the improvements mentioned, the Faculty of Agriculture still struggles with lack of academic cadres. The Faculty will overcome this issue after return of the dispatched lecturers after completion of their studies from national and oversees universities and hiring new cadres.  Also, the Faculty is in need of further improved teaching materials, library, lab equipment, and research farm for research purposes that are considered one of the main constraints at the moment. 

The other issue is that the building for the Faculty was initially considered for about 250 students which is now used by approximately 1000 students of several Faculties because of the limited number of classrooms. Since the university campus is located more than 12 kilometers distant from Ghazni City, the poor transportation system seems to be a matter of concern for most of the academic and administrative members of the faculty. 

Introduction to Departments of Agriculture Faculty

As stated previously, Agriculture Faculty of Ghazni University encompasses three departments which are briefly described as follows:

1. Horticulture Department

Horticulture is the science and art of cultivating and using highvalue [J1] plants to improve human life; we create global solutions for sustainable, nutritious food sources and healthy, beautiful environment. [J2]

The meaning of “Horticulture” may be unfamiliar to some, but under that term, [J3] our programs are very recognizable.  Horticulture is the science of plants [J4] that includes the study of plant growth and plant interactions with the environment (soil, air, water) to improve humanbeing[J5]  life through the cultivation of food and ornamental plants and the mai[J6] ntenance of a sustainable environment.  Horticulture is unique as a scientific field of study in that it often utilizes artistic expression to aid the[J7] [J8]  design of human landscapes and to restore natural environments. At its core, it is an environmentalscience[J9]  that recognizes that humans are dependent on their environment for sustenance and wellbei[J10] ng. Horticulture has developed as a field of study that recognizes humans are physiologically and artistically[J11]  linked to nature through millions of years of human evolution.

We fully embrace the landgrant[J12]  mission of outstandingundergraduateeducation[J13] , relevant, [J14] problemsolving[J15]  research, and comprehensive, dynamic outreach and extension.   With this strategic plan as a guide[J16] , we in Horticulture will address current and emerging isses[J17] , all while bettering [J18] the quality of life for those in the Commonwealth and beyond.

Mission

The Department of Horticulture since establishment in 2008 is [J19] [J20] committed to discovery, education, and deliveryto[J21]  improve quality of life at the local, national, and[J22]  international level. We enhance health, the environment, and the economy by advancing and sharing[J23]  the science of production and use of food and ornamental plants. 

Vision

Horticulture is a dynamic department, recognized internally and externally as a valuable and relevant [J24] resource in the plant sciences for students, producers, and the general public. We aim to advance and [J25] share the science of production and management of fruit, vegetable, and ornamental plants and their [J26] use in communities to improve social, environmental, and economic sustainability. Innovative basics, applied and crossdisciplinary researches will help solve environmental and economic problems. 

Goals

The department of Horticulture according to its 2018- 2019 strategic plan may achieve the following objectives:

•  To develop and maintain a strong human resource base for optimum performance in teaching of science, technology and innovation.
•  To integrate teaching and research in order to produce graduates with super skills in science, technology and innovation.
•  To conduct research in order to improve teaching and develop technologies for increased production in order to alleviate poverty and hunger.
•  To participate in the dissemination and preservation of scientific knowledge and innovations for/to farmers, extension workers and peers.
•  To promote sustainable horticultural production and environment/biodiversity conservation.
•  To expand, strengthen and sustain the University income base.
•  To stimulate the intellectual participation of students and alumni in economic, technological, agricultural and professional development and promote cultural variety and social harmony in the country.
•  To play an active role in national horticulture policy formulation, research and analysis.

 

2. Agronomy Department

The Department of Agronomy, Agriculture Faculty of Ghazni University is established in 2008, to provide a versatile undergraduate teaching in agriculture to meet the needs of increased productivity required in creating opportunity for progress and profit in agriculture.

The word of agronomy is derived from the Greek words agros ‘the field’ and nomos ‘to manage’,

• Agronomy is the branch of Agriculture science dealing with principles and practices of crop production and field management. 
• Agronomy is the branch of Agriculture dealing with field crop production and soil management. 
• Agronomy is application of combination of sciences like biology, chemistry, ecology, soil science, plant physiology, and genetics for crop production and soil management.
• Agronomy is the main term for number of researches and teaching activities: crop physiology, soil science, plant breeding, weed management, plant protection and irrigation water management.

 

Vision

The vision of the Department of Agronomy is to increase the quality and amount of food production for the nation's food supply, through the relevance and excellence of its education, research and outreach programs and to improve students and staff; it will evolve into an institution that contributes significantly to improving the economy and the quality of life for citizens of country, so dependent on its agriculture[J27] . We integrate sciences to deliver comprehensive solutions to the soil and field crop production challenges of today and tomorrow, to meet the needs.

Mission

 The mission of the Department Agronomy is to provide continued excellence in agronomic teaching, research, and outreach. The department achieves this by serving Afar[J28] , the nation in ways that: expanding knowledge in crop, soil, and atmospheric sciences identify, develop, and deliver appropriate information and technologies for agronomic practice prepare students for successful careers and continued education in agronomic and related sciences improve crop production and soil management practices, while enhancing environmental quality and sustainability, through interdisciplinary cooperation anticipate and respond to societal needs relative to food and fiber production promote, through education, harmony among the diverse clientele served by agronomy.[J29]

Goals

 The Department of Agronomy aims to educate undergraduate students both in theoretical as well as practical perspectives about genetics and plant breeding, main agricultural plants, principles of field crop production, storage and process of agricultural products, soil fertility, soil and water conservation, different methods to manage and control weeds in the fields, scientific experimental design, field or lab researcher,  forage, cereals and pulses, industrial  crops  and   methods of using modern and advanced agricultural technologies and practices.

3. Agricultural Economics and Extension Department

Department of agricultural economics and extension is created under the framework of Ghazni Agriculture Faculty in 2011 to educate students both in theoretical and practical knowledge in the fields of Agricultural Economics and Extension. The Department of Agricultural Economics and Development motivates students to meet rural areas across the country to help farmers to solve their agriculture related problems. Also, it provides professional cadres to easily specify and solve existing problems in the sector of agriculture and to professionally maintain the sources for farms and agriculture sector, to help increase agricultural production, ensure enough food, and improve the standard of living of farmers and ensuring stable growth in national economy of the country by developing the sector of agriculture.

 

Vision

Our vision is to have a world free of poverty and access to food security by fostering new agricultural production and marketing methods and techniques. Our national vision is to have a modern and commercial agriculture and to be food secure through utilizing local resources and advanced agricultural technologies. Our desires are national food security, equality, balanced and transparent rural and economic development of the country based on the policy and higher education strategic plan of Ministry of Higher Education.  

 

Mission

Agricultural Economics and Extension department is committed to educate students both in theoretical and practical knowledge on the basis of a community orientated curriculum in the arena of agricultural economics and extension, fostering new agricultural tools and technologies, and to identify challenges faced by farmers in traditional way of agriculture in the rural areas. In addition, solutions disclosed by researchers to overcome the challenges will be recommended for policy implication to stakeholders.

Goals

The purpose of Agricultural Economics and Extension Department is to educate high-level professional cadres to foster the development of researches and innovation, and who possess multi-faceted knowledge in economics and development, management, sociology, and other social sciences in the fields of agriculture, food and the environment, and who have the analytical capability and logical reasoning to respond precisely to changing social and economic circumstances.   

 

Prepared by the Strategic Plan members of Ghazni agriculture faculty (2018):

1. Asst. Prof. Mahammad Omer (Darwish)                                Dean of Faculty
2. Asst. Prof. Mohammad Masood (Nicnam)              Head of the Agricultural. Economics    

                                                                                  And Extension Department

3. Asst. Prof. Habibullah (Hamayoun)                       Head of the Horticulture Department
4. Asst. Prof. Mohammad Qayoum (Mangal)            Head of the Agronomy Department