The Ministry of Agriculture consists of three major technical departments: the National Agricultural Research Institute (NARI); the Agricultural Extension Department (AED), and the Regulatory Services Department (RSD), alongwith other support bodies. These major departments are interrelated to each other and work in close coordination. NARI is the source of all kinds of agricultural innovations and good practices; AED disseminates the technologies and research outputs generated by NARI to the farming communities; and RSD ensures the quality and safety of all these outputs, and other agricultural inputs and products.
NARI is composed of 241 staff members, 48% of whom are females. The institute is structured around four research divisions: Natural Resources Management, Crop Improvement, Genetic Resources, Agricultural Engineering, Livestock, and other support bodies that include administration and finance, bio-technology research unit and food technology research unit. Based on this structural arrangement, NARI conducts agricultural research activities in three main stations namely; Halhale, Golij and Shambuko, as well as in sub-stations of Gahtelay, Sheeb, Hagaz, Agordat and Adikeyh.
Halhale, the central research station and headquarters of the institute is located in the sub-zone of Debarwa. On the 21st of January 2025, the station hosted an important gathering that incorporated NARI’s 2024-annual assessment meeting, 2025-workplan outline as well as research output exhibitions. Mr. Tsegai Berhane, Head of NARI, opened the event by announcing major achievements of the institute. Mr. Tsegay highlighted that the institute has made available nine improved wheat varieties and one bean variety ready to be released to farmers through AED following approval of quality assurance from RSD. Furthermore, he affirmed that trials with regards to small and productive farm plot (SPFP) program at Halhale, Golij and Shambuko stations registered satisfactory outcomes.
Then, NARI’s brief annual report of 2024 and work plan for 2025 was presented by Mr. Michael Yacob. According to the report, the Natural Resources Management Research (NRMR) Division carried out a thorough soil fertility map for Adi-ghebru as a pilot project expected to be replicated in other villages in the year 2025. The division also conducted soil, water and fertilizers analyses for 573 samples collected from different parts of the country. The report also outlined that the Agricultural engineering research division conducted a satisfactory research on improving the efficiency of furrow irrigation on potato plots. The research trials witnesses 67% increase in the rate of efficiency when compared to the conventional schemes. In addition, the division came up with promising result in developing a low cost and naturally ventilated storage structure for onion, which reduced temperature by 0.2 and ambient condition by 3.45 0C.
Trials conducted by the livestock research division on treatment of dermatophytosis (ringworm) using aloe species resulted a promising outcome when compared to the iodine-based treatment. The Genetic Resources Research Division also carried out satisfactory germplasm conservation and maintenance activities. Subsequently, 25 sorghum, four common bean, 11 field pea, 17 lentil and 24 grass pea accessions regenerated.
In addition to the wide range of crop improvement activities in field crops, fruits and vegetables, a notable and promising trials were conducted in connection with plant protection. Evaluation of concentration rate of botanical extract against aphid on lettuce came up with a ratio of 0.5:1. The extract included indigenous aloe species and chili pepper in one litre of water. Moreover, a number of tissue culture related activities on date palm, banana, potato, aloe vera etc. as well as food technology researches were part of the NARI’s annual report.
After the presentation, participants of the assessment meeting made several recommendations. These include regular and timely production of research publications; comprehensive studies in horticultural commodities; strengthening multiplication and maintenance of promising sorghum and millet varieties and reinforcing researches that address farmers’ problems and challenges. They also emphasized the importance of rejuvenating the She’eb research station as well as taking pragmatic initiatives to conducting research on nutritious food recipes, among others.
In his closing remarks, H.E. Arefaine Berhe, the Minister of Agriculture urged the institute to foster research activities with regards to SPFP, indigenous green vegetables, crop rotation and the promotion of legumes and oil crops. He also underscored the importance of updating NARI’s research policy. Furthermore, Minister Arefaine called for active involvement of the farming community and administrative bodies in the process of indigenous livestock breeding and characterization. Finally, the minister reminded NARI’s heads to cultivate young researchers, and rejuvenate all kinds of agricultural research activities in the eastern lowlands.
The assessment meeting was attended by senior MoA officials, representatives from the Southern Region Administration, invited guests, and NARI staff. On the same day, NARI held an exhibition that featuring a number of properly collected indigenous trees’ seeds, bamboo planting initiatives, fibers and different varieties of wheat and hybrid maize. It is also worthy to mention that the Virus- and-disease free potato varieties, being released from NARI’s tissue culture laboratory drew participants’ special attention, who urged swift distribution of such varieties to farmers.
Public Relations Division
Ministry of Agriculture