Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research logo Kulumsa Agricultural Research CenterKulumsa, Assela, Ethiopia
KARC · Kulumsa Agricultural Research Center

Center Leadership

Kulumsa Agricultural Research Center (KARC) is a leading agricultural research center operating under the Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research (EIAR). Established in October 1967 as the Chilalo Agricultural Development Unit (CADU), KARC has grown into a national center of excellence …

Shimelis Alemayehu

Shimelis Alemayehu

Shimelis Alemayehu is the Center Director of Kulumsa Agricultural Research Center and leads the institution’s research agenda, strategic planning, and partnerships for agricultural innovation.

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Tesfaye Geleta (PhD)

Dr. Tesfaye Geleta coordinates the national wheat research program and supports varietal development and climate-smart wheat improvement strategies for Ethiopian agriculture.

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Bilisum Edeo

Bilisum Edeo leads mechanization research, training, and equipment adaptation work at KARC to support smallholder farm power and productivity.

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Demis Fikirie

Demis Fikirie

Demis Fikirie coordinates crop research sector activities and supports breeding, agronomy, and site-specific productivity work across priority commodities.

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Alemu Ayele

Alemu Ayele

Mr. Alemu Ayele has worked in plant disease research since May 2016, with extensive experience in wheat pathology, disease surveillance, diagnostics, resistance screening and integrated disease management.

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Dawit Habte (PhD)

Dawit Habte (PhD)

Dr. Dawit Habte leads soil and water research and promotes site-specific management for soil fertility, water productivity and climate resilience.

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Fikadu Seboka (DVM)

Fikadu Seboka leads KARC's livestock and forage research and supports productivity, animal health, and feed system innovations.

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Tamirat Girima

Mr. Tamirat Girma Feyisa is an agricultural economics researcher at KARC with research experience in socio-economics and value-chain research.

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Mesaye Hailu

Mesaye Hailu coordinates agricultural extension research and supports participatory technology transfer and scale-up.

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Cherenet Kassahun

Cherenet Kassahun

Cherenet Kassahun leads food science and nutrition research, quality assessment and value-addition work for priority crops and food systems.

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Abu Tolcha

Abu Tolcha coordinates climate and computational science work to support localized advisories, geospatial analysis and climate-smart decision-making.

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Hailu Mengistu

Hailu Mengistu

Hailu Mekonnen leads seed science and technology multiplication and supports quality seed supply and seed system development.

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Admasu Sisay

Admasu Sisay

Mr. Admassu Sisay holds a Master's degree (MA) in Development Economics and has been serving as the Research Quality Assurance and Evaluation (RQAE) Coordinator at KARC since May 2025. He has extensive experience in …

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Mejid Hussien Serefa

Mejid Hussien Serefa

Mejid Hussien Serefa leads finance and procurement support functions that strengthen research operations and institutional management.

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Alemalga Abebe

Alemalga Abebe manages human resources and capacity building to strengthen institutional performance and staff development.

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Derbie Kitawe

Derbie Kitawe

Diriba Kitawe leads basic services and operational support functions required for efficient research service delivery.

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Frehiwot Amde

Frehiwot Amde supports institutional reform and management improvements to strengthen the center's strategic and operational capacity.

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Zewede Mekonnen

Zewede Mekonnen leads the information and communication technology functions that support digital research, data systems and institutional connectivity.

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Sinkwa Yosef

Sinkwa Yosef leads internal audit functions and supports compliance, risk management and performance oversight.

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