Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research (EIAR)

Location

Addis Abeba, Ethiopia

Parent Organization

Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research (EIAR)

Overview

The Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research (EIAR) is one of the oldest and largest agricultural research institutes in Africa. EIAR has evolved through several stages since its first initiation during the late 1940s, following the establishment of agricultural and technical schools at Ambo and Jimma. In 1955, a full-fledged agricultural experiment station was established at Debre Zeit (now named Debre Zeit Agricultural Research Center) under the then Imperial College of Agricultural and mechanical Arts (now called Haramaya University) and had been continued as the major research entity until the mid-1960s. In 1966, Institute of Agricultural Research (IAR) was established as the first nationally coordinated agricultural research institute in Ethiopia. IAR was established with a mission to formulate national agricultural research guidelines, coordinate national agricultural research system, and undertake research in its centers and sub-centers located in various agro-ecological zones of Ethiopia.

Mission

To conduct research that will provide market competitive agricultural technologies that will contribute to increased agricultural productivity and nutrition quality, sustainable food security, economic development, and conservation of the integrity of natural resources and the environment.

Related Projects

• Seeds for Resilience: A five-year initiative supporting the national genebank of Ethiopia to meet international standards and safeguard seed diversity. Through participatory trials and user-driven approaches, it empowers farmers to select seeds best suited to local conditions, enhancing food security and climate resilience across sub-Saharan Africa.