Forest products research in Ethiopia started
in 1960's at Addis Ababa University. Then, in 1979, the current
Wood Utilization Research was established as Wood Utilization
and Research Center (WUaRC) with the support of the Swedish
International Development Agency (SIDA). The objectives and
focus of the Wood Utilization Research Case Team is characterizing
timber tree species using the thematic areas of research such
as wood physical, mechanical, working, seasoning, anatomy,
fiber, durability, preservation properties and utilization
technologies. This includes mainly the indigenous tree species
and introducing less known tree species as sources of timber
for construction, furniture, board and paper. WUaRC was one
of the research centers transferred from the Ministry of Agriculture,
and in the same year merged with the Forestry Resources Research
Center forming the current Forestry Research Center (FRC). The
major intervention areas of the research in the wood products
utilization are advising on characteristics, quality and proper
use of each timber species for the required applications and
introduction of lesser utilized timber species in the production
system.
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One
Step ahead in Spices Research
Tepi National Spices Research Center, which
was operating under the Jima Agricultural Research
Center as sub-center for the last 36 years, has now
been officially launched as one of the research centers
of EIAR.
The Tepi National Spices Research Center, located
611 kilometers from Addis Ababa in the town of Tepi
in the SNNPR State, came to existence in 1973 in an
attempt to extend the coverage of agricultural researches
to coffee, spices and other tuber and root crops growing
in lowland areas of hot and humid climatic conditions,
and which were believed to be of high economic significance
to the country.
The activities of the research include adopting and
developing spices technologies, conducting lowland
researches, conserving spice germplasms, multiplying
and distributing improved spices and lowland coffee
technologies to comparable agro-ecological zones of
Ethiopia, as well as providing training and advisory
services on the sub-sector.
During the official inaugural ceremony held at the
center on the 5th of December 2009, Ato Digafe Tilahun,
Director of the Center stated in his welcome remark
that as part of its agriculture-led industrial development
policy, the government of Ethiopia is carrying out
a multitude of activities aimed at increasing the
number of farmers utilizing and benefiting from modern
agricultural technologies and, READ
MORE
Showcasing
Basic Seed Production
at Werer and Tendaho
A team of IAR officials including the Director General, Deputy
Director General, directors of research centers, directors of
research directorates, process coordinators, and case team leaders
made a courtesy visit to Werer Research center to see the wheat
seed production activities on over 100 ha on 28 January 2010.
Seed production on a large-scale using irrigation had not been
a common practice in Ethiopia; however, as an upcoming venture
the activity at Werer Research Center is very encouraging. On
the next day, 29 January 2010, the team visited Tendaho Sugar
Factory Project where hybrid maize seed production on about
2000 ha is being produced.
Beyond the impression captured by the team, discussions were
made between the team and the technical and support staff of
the farm. More clarifications were given on the routine and
tactical issues of farm operations which impressed the visiting
team.READ
MORE
The Federal Agriculture and
Rural Development Linkage Council Meeting
The Federal Agricultural and Rural Development
Linkage Council held a one-day meeting at the Ethiopian Institute
of Agricultural Research (EIAR) HQs .READ
MORE
CD
Library of patent Documents on Sheller, Thresher and Cultivator
Technlogies
The Ethiopian Intellectual Property Office has released a CD
with Patent Documents on sheller, thresher and cultivator technologies
that it has selected based on their relevance in supporting
the rural development strategy and agricultural development
of the country. For further information or to obtain a copy
of the CD, please contact the EIAR Main Library.
