Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research is one of the oldest and largest agricultural research institutes in Africa. EIAR was established in 1966 by Proclamation. It was then called Institute of Agricultural Research (IAR). In 1997 was renamed as Ethiopian Agricultural Research Organization (EARO). At the moment the institute is named as Ethiopian Institute Agricultural Research (EIAR).

During its formative periods the Institute started agricultural trails on crops and livestock on few selected research centers. Accordingly the first crop variety released in 1969 by the then National Crop Improvement Committee. The committee comprised senior researchers drawn from different research centers. Technology release mechanisms continued under the leadership of this Committee up the early 1970s. Then the role and representation of the committee was released by National Crop Improvement Conference (NCIC). NCIC was an annual event released by IAR. The main responsibilities of NCIC were to present completed research activities and approve the release of new varieties of crops. Releasing new crop varieties continued until 1979 under NCIC. Later a National Variety Release Committee (NVRC) was established by NCIC. The legacy of NCIC as a scientific and technical platform continued until mid-1980s.

As of mid-1980s, the need to include other disciplines/ commodities felt necessary; eventually NCIC diminished and replaces by National Crop Improvement Conference (NCIC), National Livestock Improvement Conference (NLIC), and National Natural Resources Improvement Conference (NNRIC).   Later on, as the scope of agricultural research expanded its role-included research on soils and water, and agricultural economics. This arrangement continued until late 1980s; then the role of Professional Association came to the limelight. As a result, Professional societies took the role of annual conferences as platform for presenting scientific findings. On the other hand, the NVRC continued its role of releasing crop varieties. Now a days its role is expanding to include other improves agricultural technologies, hence its name changed to National Agricultural Technology Research Committee, which is functioning under the Ministry of Agriculture.

EIAR made tremendous efforts to build the national capacity of doing agricultural research, produce, and introduce improved technologies focusing on fostering agricultural growth and development in the country. As a result, over the last four decades, the release of improved technologies in crop, livestock, soils and water, forestry and agricultural mechanization have increased dramatically. To date, the contribution of improved agricultural technologies generated and introduced by EIAR has become fundamental in the national economy.

EIAR is doing its level best to introduce and generate agricultural technologies while also contributing to meet the national demands of transforming Ethiopian agriculture.