Jinka Agricultural Research Center (JARC) is one of the promising research centers of the former Southern Agricultural Research Institute (SARI) Proclamation 127/2002 in 1997. JARC re-established under South Ethiopia Agricultural Research Institute (SEARI) by Proclamation 64/2025 in 2024/25. It is located in the town of Jinka about 735 Kms south of Addis Ababa. It is found in Ari zone, the largest producer of maize and sorghum in the region and also known for its two big Irrigable farms surrounding Ari and south omo zone endowed with two national parks Omo vally and mago national parks including murule sunctuary. JARC was established to serve the whole Ari and South Omo Zones. It has two sub stations and a 1 main station distributed across the different agro-ecologies.

JARC is mandated for regional coordination and specialization in low to mid land maize, sorghum, cotton, cassava, banana, mango and apple, poultry, apiculture research as well as small scale irrigation. Besides its coordination roles, the center conducts technology generation, adaptation research on improving cattle for dual purpose by utilizing local cattle and Jersey breed, goats for meat production based on local woyito guji and Boar breeds and poultry.

JARC is collaborating closely with LLRP (F4F and CLM), AGP/FSRP, ICARDA, CALM, ATI and others.

Vision

JARC envisions to see that market oriented, modern agricultural technologies are widely used, natural resources conserved and developed and the livelihood of farmers and pastoralists in the region improved sustainably.

Mission

The mission of JARC is to adapt, generate, popularize & disseminate technologies that enhance rapid and sustainable growth of agricultural production and productivity and promote market competence of farmers & pastoralists of the region.

The Core objectives and strategic themes of the center are:

1. Achieve its mission the institute identified the following three strategic themes, constituting the pillars of the research processes and institutional management.

• Increase availability of suitable agricultural technologies, information and knowledge
• Increase agricultural technology multiplication, promotion and transfer and,
• Enhance research management and institutional capacity.

2. Provide improved agricultural technology to promote utilization of modern technologies by farmers: Strengthen farmers-research -extension linkages by establishing councils and Farmer Research Extension Groups (FREGs).
3. Popularize improved technologies, multiplying breeder, pre-basic and basic seeds of improved crop varieties and livestock breeds
4. Coordinate agricultural research (main stations and substations) to meet the demand for foundation technologies of the region
5. Capacitate/train farmers, development agents (DAs), agricultural extension officers (AEOs), prototype manufacturers, researchers and other technology users.

The Key values of the center

• Farmers and Pastoralists First!
• Efficient & Effective use of Resources!
• High Ethical Standards of Research!
• Equity, Accountability & Transparency!
• Timely and High Quality Services!
• Transformational Attitude, Initiative and Leadership at All Levels!
• Governmental and Non-Governmental Institutions engaged in agricultural R&D
• Investors (producers, agro-Industries, technology multipliers, exporters)
• Communities engaged in urban agriculture

To learn more about our ongoing projects and innovations, please visit the Jinka Agriculture Research Center Activities page.