The Yirgachefe Agricultural Research Center (YARC), established in the 2025 fiscal year, operates under the South Ethiopia Agricultural Research Institute (SEARI), a regional institution dedicated to advancing agricultural innovation in the South Ethiopia region. As one of two research centers created in 2025, YARC is strategically located in the Gedeo Zone, with a mandate to serve the agricultural needs of Gedeo, Amaro, and Burji Targate zones. The centre aims to address the unique agro-ecological and socio-economic challenges of these areas, contributing to enhanced food security, sustainable farming practices, and improved livelihoods for local communities.

Establishment and Context

The South Ethiopia Agricultural Research Institute (SEARI) was established to support the agricultural development of the South Ethiopia region, following the administrative reorganization of the former Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples' Region (SNNPR). SEARI oversees a network of research centers, including the Yirgachefe Agricultural Research Center, to promote localized, demand-driven agricultural research. YARC was created to capitalise on the Gedeo Zone’s global reputation for high-quality coffee production while addressing broader agricultural challenges in the Gedeo, Amaro, and Burji Targate zones, which feature diverse agro-ecologies ranging from midland to highland environments.

The establishment of YARC aligns with Ethiopia’s national agricultural transformation agenda, which emphasizes the development of climate-resilient, market-competitive technologies to boost productivity and sustainability. The center is positioned to leverage the region’s rich agricultural heritage, particularly in coffee, while diversifying research to include other crops, livestock, and natural resource management.

Objectives

The Yirgachefe Agricultural Research Center is guided by the following core objectives:

• Develop and Promote Agricultural Technologies: Conduct research to develop and adapt crop varieties, livestock systems, and sustainable farming practices tailored to the agro-ecological conditions of the Gedeo, Amaro, and Burji Targate zones.
• Enhance Coffee Production and Quality: Strengthen research on coffee, a key economic crop, to improve yield, disease resistance, and market competitiveness while maintaining Yirgachefe’s global reputation for premium coffee.
• Ensure Food Security: Increase agricultural productivity and diversify crop production to support food security and nutrition in the region.
• Promote Sustainable Resource Management: Develop practices for soil fertility, water conservation, and agroforestry to ensure environmental sustainability.
• Foster Community Engagement: Collaborate with farmers, cooperatives, and extension services to facilitate technology transfer and adoption.
• Support Regional Economic Growth: Contribute to the socio-economic development of the South Ethiopia region through innovative agricultural solutions.

Research Focus Areas

YARC’s research activities are structured around three primary areas, reflecting SEARI’s broader mission:

1. Coffee and Crop Research: Focus on improving coffee varieties, particularly Yirgachefe’s renowned Arabica coffee, through research on disease resistance (e.g., coffee berry disease), climate adaptation, and post-harvest processing. Additional crop research includes staples like maize, teff, and root crops, as well as high-value horticultural crops suited to the region’s highland and midland agro-ecologies.
2. Livestock Research: Development of improved livestock breeds and management practices, focusing on small ruminants, poultry, and apiculture, to enhance productivity and support the livelihoods of smallholder farmers and agro-pastoralists.
3. Natural Resources Management: Research on soil conservation, water management, and agroforestry systems to address challenges such as soil erosion, water scarcity, and deforestation, promoting sustainable land use in the region’s diverse landscapes.

Infrastructure and Capacity

Located in Yirgachefe, the heart of the Gedeo Zone, YARC is equipped with modern research facilities, including experimental farms, coffee processing laboratories, and training centers. The center employs a multidisciplinary team of researchers specializing in agronomy, coffee science, livestock management, agricultural economics, and environmental science. YARC collaborates with national and international partners, including the Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research (EIAR), Jimma Agricultural Research Center (national coffee research coordinator), CGIAR institutions, and regional universities, to access expertise and resources.

Community and Stakeholder Engagement

YARC adopts a participatory research approach, engaging local farmers, coffee cooperatives, and women’s groups in the design and testing of agricultural technologies to ensure relevance and adoption. The center works closely with regional agricultural bureaus, extension services, and private sector partners, particularly in the coffee value chain, to disseminate research outputs. Training programs, field demonstrations, and farmer field schools are organized to build capacity and promote knowledge sharing among farmers and extension workers.

Strategic Importance

The establishment of YARC in 2025 strengthens SEARI’s capacity to deliver localized agricultural research in the Gedeo, Amaro, and Burji Targate zones. By focusing on coffee as a flagship crop alongside other agricultural priorities, YARC supports Ethiopia’s position in the global coffee market while addressing local challenges such as climate variability, soil degradation, and market access. The center plays a pivotal role in enhancing agricultural resilience and driving economic growth in the region.

Future Directions

Looking ahead, YARC aims to:

• Expand research on climate-smart coffee production to ensure resilience against climate change impacts.
• Develop digital tools, such as mobile-based decision support systems, to provide farmers with real-time agronomic advice.
• Strengthen partnerships with international coffee research networks to enhance technological innovation and market linkages.
• Promote value addition in coffee and other crops through research on processing and quality standards.
• Establish a robust data management system to archive research findings and facilitate knowledge sharing

The Yirgachefe Agricultural Research Center is a vital component of the South Ethiopia Agricultural Research Institute’s efforts to advance agricultural innovation in the Gedeo, Amaro, and Burji Targate zones. By leveraging the region’s coffee heritage and addressing broader agricultural challenges, YARC is well-positioned to contribute to sustainable development, food security, and economic prosperity in South Ethiopia.

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