GIRCHA HIGHLAND FRUITS AND VEGETABLE RESEARCH CENTRE (የግርጫ ደጋ ፍራፍሬ እና አትክልት ምርምር ማዕከል)

 Ethiopia is a country attributed with extraordinarily rich agro-biodiversity resulted from difference in geography, climate, ethnic, strong food and social culture with ample irrigation and natural resources possibilities. The country has a wide range and potential of vegetables and fruits production such as avocado, apple, peer, potato, enset, lettuce, beet root, garlic, shallot, etc. The climate and agro-ecology country is favorable for the production of temperate, tropical and sub-tropical fruits and vegetables. Horticulture along with other export communities is sectors given priority attention by the Ethiopian government. The country’s horticultural crop export is also increasing rapidly and considered to be an important element by the government to diversity exports and contribute directly to poverty reduction. 

Arba Minch University, currently based at South Ethiopia Regional state, geographical located within 6o3’50’’ N 37^o33’41’’E, initially founded as Arba Minch Water Technology Institute, inaugurated a full-fledged University in June 2004.  The University is undertaking teaching for under graduate and post graduate students, running demand based research; provide community outreach activities for programs structured under two institutes, four colleges, two schools and one separate campus. Besides the learning teaching programs, the University established research centers, institutes, research units for research and training on: High land fruits and vegetables; Livestock and Fishery; Biodiversity and Conservation; Renewable Energy Technology; Neglected Tropical Disease; Water Resource; Culture and Language study: and Demography and Health Development in order address community demanding activities.  

Gircha is a village close to Chencha town, located in Gamo zone of South Ethiopia Regional State, situated at an altitude 3100 m.a.s.l., at longitude and latitude of 6^o19’N and 37^o35’E around 43 km North from Arba Minch. The site is attributed with an annual rainfall and mean minimum and maximum temperature of 12^o and 23^o, respectively, and a clay loam soil type. Geographically the area has huge potential to produce apple fruits, peer, potato, enset, carrots, garlic, lettuce, beetroot, etc. The area is also suitable for production of oil crops (Lentil, rapeseed, etc.), legume crops (Faba bean, field pea, etc.), cereals (wheat, barley, etc.). Trees like hagenia, bamboo, etc. are also part of the system of farming. However, soil fertility, climate change (rainfall variation), land degradation, lack of grazing land, improved fruit and vegetables varieties and production technologies, etc. are main growth and development constraints of high land fruits and vegetable. 

Gircha Highland Fruits and Vegetables Research Center established in 2015 on area holdings of 49.15 hectare. The center is mandated to provide the followings activities:

Ø  To organize a capacity building training for surrounding and other demanding communities/ institutions in high land fruit and vegetable production and management,

Ø   Run survey on high land fruits and vegetables production constraints, documenting, development projects to address the community fruit and vegetable production problems,

Ø  Produce, maintain and disseminate improved production technologies on high land fruits and vegetables,

Ø  Design breeding to improve high land fruit and vegetable lines, developing and promoting safe production practices, reducing postharvest losses, and improving the nutritional value of fruits and vegetables to community.

Ø  Build research and capacity building/training collaboration and networks within the Colleges and Institutes of Arba Minch University, national and international institutes and Universities to raise awareness fruits and vegetables for improved health and poverty alleviation.

Ø   Enhance collection, maintenance and production of neglected fruit and vegetable crops for healthy diets, climate change and biodiversity.    

• VISION

·     The center aspires to be one of globally recognized research institutes involved in generation, maintenance and transfer of technologies and knowledge, and affiliating with stakeholders for high quality research and solutions on high land fruits and vegetable production and management associated constraints by 2030.

Mission

·         The center has a mission to solve societal problems by conducting demand driven research and development, conserve biodiversity, adapt community recognized agricultural production and post-harvest technologies that realize the potential in high land fruits and vegetables for healthier lives and more resilient livelihoods for food security and poverty alleviation. 

      SCOPE

·    Gircha HLFVRC established to address production and management constraints, research and training, community outreach activities and explore opportunities of communities engaged in high land fruit and vegetable in Gamo Zone. The center diagnosis production and societal constraints running pilot surveys, develop research projects, enhance collaboration in research and training, provide consultation and seed distribution, maintain and or restore biodiversity focusing neglected high land fruits and vegetables crops.

OBJECTIVES OF THE CENTER

·         Generate research-based technology, render extension and educational services,

·         Advance research and consultancy works in the fields of fruit and vegetables,

·         Be center of practical training and ensure quality of agricultural education.

RESEARCH PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND PROGRESS EVALUATION

·    Academic and research staff working with GHLFVRC are responsible in initiating and conducting participatory, addressing societal problems and scientific standard maintained original research projects aligned with code of research ethics. Research proposals developed in line with annual research call on prioritized thematic research area shall be peer assessed/ reviewed, public defended for comments and construction of proposal.

·      The reviewed new proposal shall be submitted according to the accepted standards and schedule set for submission in Arba Minch University to get research grant letter. The approved and granted research projects shall be managed based on agreed conditions and principles mentioned in the research guidelines of the university.

·      The ongoing research shall be monitored and evaluated regularly to assess how well the researchers met the set research objectives. Researchers are expected to submit the outcomes of the research activities as per the contractual agreement.

CAPACITY BUILDING

·    Capacity of research staff of GHLFVRC is facilitated by organizing experience sharing educational tour and opening advanced study opportunities in fields relevant to fruit and vegetables production and improvement. 

RESEARCH COLLABORATION OF THE CENTER

·      The center is open for national and international research projects and capacity building training collaborations. The center also encourages any joint researches among colleges and institutes of the university. The share of responsibilities by university management, academic staff and researchers are appreciated in initiating to create conducive environment for collaboration and quality research practices. 

·       The research process of the center shall be done in collaboration with other national and international higher education and research institutions, public sectors, governmental, non-governmental organizations and donors when appropriate. It shall also encourage the joint research among colleges and institute with appropriate inter-college and institute collaboration.

CODE OF CONDUCT

·       Researchers participating in high land fruit and vegetables projects need to be honest and responsible to obey research ethics and philosophy. They should be involved in initiating research that addresses societal problems towards the development of the institution and country at large. The researchers should not be involved in illegal or misuse of research funds and required to declare conflict of interests.

DISSEMINATION OF RESEARCH OUTPUT

·         The research findings on fruits and vegetables shall be disseminated through workshops, conferences, symposia, proceedings, newsletters, leaflets, AMU web-site, journals and books, etc.

·         Staff profile

CONTACT US:

·         Research Director:  Dr. Zenebe Mekonnen Adare (PhD, Associate Professor, Agronomy)
Email:- This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.,
Phone: - +251911755378

Office location: Arba Minch University, Kulfo campus and/or Gircha Research Center