Coordinator
Agricultural Implements
Research
and Improvement Center,
Melkassa Research Center
E-mail: marc@telecom.net.et
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The Agricultural Implements Research and Improvement Center (AIRIC),
based at Melkassa Research Center, conducts agricultural mechanization
studies. The center has organized its work in three main research areas:
pre-harvest, harvest, post-harvest sub programs.
Some substantial work has been registered in each area. Implements like, the Erf and Mofer attached Moldboard Plow, ridge tier, wheel hoe weeder, animal drawn row planter, an animal drawn groundnut lifter have been developed. Also an engine driven multi crop thresher, a hand operated maize shelter. Enset decorticator, bulla squeezer, corm pulverizer and single ox drawn carts and two types of water lighting devices, test procedures for testing different implements have been delivered. Some of these equipment have been successfully popularized among farmers and manufacturing training has been given to regional rural technology centers. Prototypes and drawings have been given to manufacturers like Akaki Spare Part and Hand Tools factory.
Research programs
The sector has three main programs. These are the following:
- Farm power and machinery
- Soil and water engineering
- Post harvest technology and food engineering
The sector has also two support-oriented research programs. These are:
- Instrumentation and testing
- Agricultural and industrial pre-extension
The support programs cut across the above three main programs.
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