New threshing machines revolutionising agriculture

Bishoftu Polytechnic College in Ethiopia is making significant contributions to the country's agricultural modernisation by developing locally made threshing machines

These machines aim to boost post-harvest productivity and reduce farmers' reliance on expensive imported equipment.

Workaferaw Shafi, a trainer at the college, told The Ethiopian Herald that this initiative is a direct response to the government's call for innovation-driven agricultural development. The college has designed and built a thresher capable of processing and cleaning 10 to 15 quintals of crops per hour. This locally fabricated machine provides an affordable and efficient alternative to the costly combine harvesters often used by farmers.

Workaferaw said, "This machine performs all the essential functions of a combine but at a fraction of the cost. It opens up enormous opportunities for small and medium-scale farmers to improve efficiency, reduce post-harvest losses, and expand their operations."

The rising costs of imported combines have become a heavy burden for many Ethiopian farmers. By producing agricultural machinery locally, Bishoftu Polytechnic is reducing these financial challenges and fostering a generation of homegrown innovators who can address the country's agricultural needs.

Workaferaw emphasised that the college's efforts align with Ethiopia’s national priorities of accelerating agricultural development and ensuring food security. "We are committed to empowering farmers with affordable and practical tools that meet their everyday needs. Our work goes hand in hand with the government's strategy to modernise agriculture and create self-reliant farming communities," he said.

In addition to machinery development, the college collaborates with the Ministry of Agriculture to offer training in compost fertilizer application and entrepreneurial skills. These initiatives help farmers increase their productivity and adopt more sustainable farming practices. The college also invests in research and development, focusing on both pre-harvest and post-harvest technologies to address challenges in the agricultural sector.

Workaferaw also highlighted the importance of vocational education and training (TVET) in driving economic growth. "Participation in national skills competitions enables the institution to showcase its innovations while demonstrating that TVET can play a pivotal role in solving real-world problems and driving economic growth.We believe that every stakeholder has a responsibility to help transform Ethiopia's agricultural landscape.With the right investment in technical education and innovation, we can unlock the full potential of our agriculture and improve the livelihoods of countless farmers," Workaferaw added. 

Bishoftu Polytechnic College is emerging as a model institution, showing how technical education and innovation can contribute to Ethiopia’s development and rural prosperity.