Overview
Overview of the college
College of Natural Resources and Agricultural Economics, located at Mattu University Bedele campus, stands as a dynamic center for academic excellence and environmental stewardship surrounded by lush greenery and abundant natural resources. As a hub for sustainability and innovation, the college is committed to providing quality education and fostering research that addresses pressing environmental and agricultural challenges. It offers five undergraduate programs: Natural Resource Management, Forestry, Agricultural Economics, Agribusiness and Value Chain Management, and Ecotourism and Biodiversity Conservation alongside three postgraduate programs: Master of Science in Soil Science, Agribusiness and Value Chain Management, and Agricultural Economics. With a dedicated team of 62 passionate staff, the college currently serves more than 300 undergraduate and 15 postgraduate students. College members are deeply engaged in teaching and research aimed at enhancing agriculture, conserving natural resources, and promoting sustainable development. The college envisions becoming a national leader in education, research, and community service. It cultivates academic excellence, innovation, and critical thinking among students while working to expand its capacity for impactful research that benefits society, the economy, the environment, and cultural heritage.
Mission
The college has a venerable vision to excel in education, research, and community engagement by producing competent professionals, delivering impactful, demand-driven research, and fostering innovation across diverse disciplines
Vision
Its mission is to offer training of high caliber, practically oriented, competent and responsive professionals in different fields of natural resources and agricultural sciences with integrated, applied, and problem-solving research and services.
Programs Offered
College of Natural Resources and Agricultural Economics offers both undergraduate and postgraduate degree programs in a variety of fields, as outlined below.
Undergraduate Programs
BSc in Natural Resource Management
BSc in Forestry
BSc in Agricultural Economics
BSc in Ecotourism and Biodiversity Conservation
BSc in Agribusiness and Value Chain Management
Postgraduate Programs
MSc in Soil Science
MSc in Agricultural Economics
MSc in Agribusiness and Value Chain Management
Mr. Zenebe Reta Roba
+251928211588/+251919636979
Zenebe.reta@mau.edu.et
Dean's Message
Welcome to College of Natural Resources and Agricultural Economics (CNRAE) at Mattu University, Bedele Campus!. It is my pleasure to warmly welcome you, whether you are a prospective student, researcher, collaborator, alumnus, guest, or community member, to explore all that our college has to offer. At CNRAE, we are committed to providing a comprehensive education in natural resources and agricultural sciences. Our goal is to prepare future leaders with the knowledge and skills needed to make a meaningful impact in government, non-profit organizations, academia, and the private sector.
Our world is facing complex challenges like, climate change, biodiversity loss, food insecurity, and environmental degradation. In Response College of Natural Resources and Agricultural Economics (CNRAE), is committed to being part of the solution. Through our diverse and dynamic programs in Forestry, Natural Resource Management, Agricultural Economics, Agribusiness and Value Chain Management, Ecotourism, and Biodiversity Conservation, we equip students with hands-on expertise, practical knowledge and innovative mindset needed to make lasting differences. Our graduates are prepared to become agents of change leading sustainable development, strengthening community resilience, and making a lasting impact on the environment and society.
We take pride in our expert faculty, state-of-the-art learning environments, and our strong commitment to the three pillars of higher education: teaching, research, and community service. Our programs are deeply rooted in the Ethiopian context, blending theoretical instruction with hands-on experience to develop professionals capable of driving sustainable development and leading transformative agricultural and environmental initiatives.
The College continues to grow in capacity, with ongoing investments in faculty development, research infrastructure, and academic resources. We are guided by the vision of contributing to national goals such as Natural Resource Management and Agricultural Development-Led Industrialization, and we believe our students and faculty are key agents in driving the technological and environmental transformations our country needs.
As Dean of the college, I am proud to lead a college that remains responsive to the needs of a rapidly changing world while upholding a strong commitment to academic excellence, innovation, and social impact. I invite you to join us whether as a student, partner, or collaborator and become part of a forward-thinking academic community dedicated to creating a better, more sustainable future.