Following the establishment of Jimma Agricultural Research Center (JARC) in late 1967, coffee research was focused on forest and semi forest coffee improvement. Sooner, the research strategy was revised to include improvement of agronomic practices (spacing, hole size, weed control, fertilizer rate, etc.), coffee processing for quality improvement, germplasm collection and selection for variety development and a limited amount of entomological and pathological studies. After the occurrence of CBD in 1971 and its subsequent spread to all coffee areas, the emphasis and the research strategy was largely shifted to the control of the disease. Soon after, a strategy was developed and a national campaign was launched to combat the disease in two possible ways, by spraying fungicide and development of resistant cultivars. Thanks to our land for its endowment of immense genetic diversities that enabled to identify CBD resistant genotypes in the shortest time possible and put CBD under control. Subsequently, with the gradual development of coffee research, seven research disciplines/division, five sub-centers and four testing sites were established as part of coffee research strategy to tackle all aspects of coffee production, processing and agro-ecological challenges in a holistic approach.
A National coffee and Tea Commodity Research Strategy Fifteen years (2016-2030) which can serve as a roadmap to guide the coffee research program planning and implementation with the ultimate goal of making considerable research contribution towards achieving the ambitious Growth and Transformation plan of II plan was developed. Under coffee and Tea research representative there are three national programs (Southwest and nontraditional, West coffee research program in coffee and Tea research program). At present the process having a total of 48 researchers (2) PhD holder, (14) MSc and (6) BSc holders and 27 researchers are on training.
Sub-center |
Year of Establishment |
Total Landholding (ha) |
Elevation (m.a.s.l) |
Mandate Areas |
Jimma |
1967 |
183 |
1753 |
Jimma/Limmu |
Gera |
1974 |
280 |
1900 |
Jimma/Gera highland |
Agaro |
1973 |
15 |
1630 |
Limmu/Jimma |
Metu |
1974 |
32 |
1550 |
Illu Ababora |
Haru |
1998 |
76 |
1750 |
West Wellega |
Mugi |
1973 |
27 |
1553 |
Kelem Wollega |
Tepi |
1976 |
100 |
1200 |
Tepi/Bebeka |
Mechara |
2005 |
50 |
1800 |
West Hararghe |
Awada |
1997 |
31 |
1740 |
Sidama |
Wenago |
1974 |
10 |
1850 |
Yirgacheffe |
The coffee research process at Jimma aspires to see the coffee research system become a center of excellence in Arabica coffee germplasm conservation and research in Africa and beyond, competently contributing to bring Ethiopia to the forefront in Arabica coffee production in the world.
To generate and disseminate applicable and sustainable coffee technologies and knowledge through innovative research for improved productivity, processing or quality, value addition and marketing of coffee while conserving the coffee genetic resources and the environment as a whole.
The ultimate goal of the coffee commodity research is to provide all the relevant technologies that are essential to revamp the Ethiopian coffee industry and thereby maximize the country’s foreign exchange earnings from coffee and improve the livelihoods of the resource poor smallholder coffee farmers and that of all other actors in the value chain.
The overarching objective of coffee research is to build research capacity and undertake competent studies on problems related to coffee development, processing and marketing under different agro-ecologies throughout the country and generate appropriate technologies that would increase production, productivity (yield) and quality of the crop.
The Coffee and Tea Research Process consists of four research sections: Genetics and Breeding; Agronomy Physiology; Crop Protection, and Coffee Processing and Quality Improvement sections. The disciplinary themes and their specific objectives as components of coffee research discipline under the process include:
1. Genetics and Breeding: The major thrusts of the division are (a) collection and selection of Arabica coffee germplasm in Ethiopia; (b) selection scheme for specific purposes (CBD resistance); and (c) hybridization scheme.
Coffee hybridization activity at JARC
2. Agronomy and Physiology: The discipline focused to solve the bottleneck agronomic constraints and challenges in the areas of nursery and field management and processing (pre- and post-harvest) technologies or practices that would increase production, productivity and quality of coffee produce and thereby contribute to increased income of the growers.
3. Crop protection: The research in crop protection contain develop appropriate methods of controlling diseases, insect pests and weeds with special emphasis to developing integrated management practices of the pests which is cost effective and efficient.
4. Coffee Processing and Quality Improvement: Quality is critically important to the coffee industry. Coffee, which has good inherent quality, may be rejected unless good processing practices are strictly followed. Developing and promoting improved pre-and post-harvest processing technologies that increase quality and productivity of coffee for different agro ecologies throughout the country are key study areas of quality section.
Status of coffee germplasm collections at research field gene-banks
Program/Type |
Year (GC) |
Original Collection |
Present Number |
National Collection |
1966-1990 |
1633 |
1431 |
Exotic Collection |
1968-1984 |
190 |
78 |
CBD Selection |
1973-1987 |
868 |
825 |
Local Landrace |
1994-2015 |
4232 |
3519 |
Total |
6923 |
5853 |
Released coffee varieties/hybrids
Variety Group |
Number of Varieties |
Year of Release |
Yield Range (q/ha) |
|
On station |
On farm |
|||
CBD Resistant Varieties |
13 |
1978-1981 |
12.2-23.8 |
6.0-10.0 |
Low and Mid-land Varieties |
5 |
1997-2002 |
16.6-23.4 |
9.0-20.0 |
Hybrid Varieties |
6 |
1997-2008 |
24.0-26.0 |
13.0-20.0 |
High-land Varieties |
4 |
2006 |
16.4-23.5 |
15.2-16.2 |
Land-race Varieties |
12 |
2006, 2010 |
11.9-20.4 |
7.2-16.2 |
Total |
40 |
|
|
|
Information Generated
Program |
Project |
No. of research activities |
Objectives |
South west and New emerging coffee growing areas |
Coffee Technology Generation and Promotion for South West Coffee Growing Areas of Ethiopia |
66 |
§ To enable the country be competent in international coffee market by supplying best quality coffees and thus increase the income of coffee growers (Coffee Technology Generation). § To enhance the participatory technology generation, multiplication, transfer and evaluation of coffee technologies and improve the living standard of farmers, traders and in the sector (Coffee Technology multiplication & transfer).
|
Coffee Technology Generation and Promotion for New Potential Coffee Growing Areas of Ethiopia |
15 |
||
West coffee growing areas |
Coffee Technology Generation and Promotion for Western Coffee Growing Areas of Ethiopia |
25 |
|
Tea Research |
Tea Technology generation and Promotion |
2 |
§ To develop, adapt and promote improved tea technologies, information and knowledge increasing the production and productivity of tea and thereby contribute to increased income of all actors in the tea value chain.
|
PUBLICATIONS
Several technical coffee publications have been produced and distributed to promote technology transfer and experience sharing in the country and elsewhere.
No. 1 |
Type |
Author/Editor/Year |
Remarks |
Proccedings |
|||
1.1 |
Coffee Diversity & Knowledge. Proceedings on Four Decades of Coffee Research and Development in Ethiopia, A National Workshop, 14-17 August 2007, Ghion Hotel, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia |
Girma et al. (2008) |
|
1.2 |
Workshop of Coffee and Associated Main Crops of Major Coffee Growing Regions of Ethiopia. February 27- March 01, 1995, Addis Abeba, Ethiopia |
|
Not published |
1.3 |
Mineral fertilization of coffee in Ethiopia. Institute of Agricultural Research, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia |
Paulos Dubale (1994) |
|
1.4 |
First Ethiopian Symposium on coffee. 20-23 August 1986, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia |
|
Not published |
1.5 |
First Regional Workshop On Coffee Berry Disease. 19-24 June 1982, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia |
AAASA (1984) |
|
2 |
Research Reports |
||
2.1 |
Shade tree in organic coffee production. EARO, Research Report No 56 |
Dechasa Jiru (2004) |
|
2.2 |
Characterization of the farming systems of Haru Weredea: Western Wellega Zone. Reserach Report No 44. |
Tsegaye and Taye (2002) |
|
2.3 |
Characterization of the farming system of Mettu Wereda in Illubabor Zone. Reserach Report No 45. |
Admasu et al. (2002) |
|
2.4 |
Description and production recommendations for new cultivars of Arabica coffee. IAR Research Report No 34. |
Bayeta et al. (1998) |
|
2.5 |
Economics of pruning techniques in Jimma zone. Research Report 35 |
Kassahun Seyoum (1998) |
|
3 |
Production Manuals |
||
3.1 |
Tea seedling production and management |
Melaku Addisu and Kifle Belachew (2017) |
Amharic |
3.2 |
Coffee rejuvenation techniques |
Alemseged and Taye (2016) |
|
3.3 |
Manual for coffee quality laboratory |
Abrar and Nigusie (2015) |
Amharic |
3.4 |
Modern coffee management |
Alemseged et al. (2014) |
Amharic |
3.5 |
Coffee seed quality management and evaluation techniques |
Alemseged et al. (2014) |
Amharic |
3.6 |
Coffee training and pruning techniques |
Alemseged et al. (2012) |
Amharic |
3.7 |
To’annaa fi Ittisa Dhukkuba Jirma Buna Gogsu |
Girmma et al. (1999 EC) |
Oromiffa |
3.8 |
Control and prevention of coffee wilt disease |
Girma et al. (1997 EC) |
Amharic |
3.9 |
Recommended Production Technologies for Coffee and Associated Crops. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia |
JARC Task Force (1996) |
English/Amharic |
3.10 |
Coffee (Coffea arabica L.) genetic resources and breeding. CIP-Ethiopia |
Watkins (1985) |
|
3.11 |
Report on the soil and foliar analysis in 15 CIP areas in Socialist Ethiopia. EEC/MCTD, Addis Abeba, Ethiopia |
Hofner and Schmitz (1984) |
|
3.12 |
Coffee nursery management 14p |
JAR Station, IAR (1965 EC) |
Amharic |
3.13 |
Field transplanting of coffee seedlings 12p |
JAR Station, IAR (1965 EC) |
Amharic |
3.14 |
Coffee Mission to Ethiopia (1964-65). FAO of the United Nations, Rome |
FAO (1968) |
|
CONTACT ADDRESSES
Demelash Teferi (Plant Pathologist) Program Coordinator for Southwest and New Emerging Coffee Growing Areas Research; Process Representative, Coffee and Tea Research Tel.: +251917833063 Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Kalifa Nasiro (Coffee Breeder) Program Coordinator for West Coffee Research Tel.: +251917307050 Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Melaku Addis (Breeder) Program Coordinator, Tea Research Tel.: +251917806635 Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.