Arba Minch University’s premier research endeavor for community - Gircha Highland Fruits and Vegetables Research Center is situated 1300 meters above the sea-level at Chencha on Gamo Gofa highland. Despite salubrious milieu and arable terrestrial advantage, cultivation is done in a fragmented manner with utter disregard to conservation measures. Similarly, soil erosion, land degradation, inadequate per unit area production, shrinking grazing land and fodder for livestock production are the most vexed issues across highland plateaus.

To provide profound solution to above issues, AMU has launched this unique research centre at Chencha in 2015, mandated to serve community through research. It will grow with the sole agenda of meeting agricultural needs of adjoining communities and their capacity will be built.

Around 43-km away from Arba Minch town, sitting on 49.15 hectares of land, it aims to be an epicentre for highland fruits, vegetables that will foster research temperament and strengthen education facilities. And equipped with state-of-art technologies and full-time researchers, it will tinker with idea to acquire a sustainable solution for peasants.

Further, with all colleges, public-private universities, state agencies, NGOs and private sector, it will focus on highly sought programs that ultimately benefit surrounding community. It’s bound to promote research programs and become major contributor to AMU’s strategic goal in fostering research-based teaching ensuring food security and sustainable national development.

VISION

The Center aspires to be one of the recognized institutes that will evolve high quality research solutions for problems associated with highland fruits and vegetables by 2026.

Mission

It aims to conduct demand-driven research by adapting and developing participatory agricultural technologies; providing extension and consultancy service to community is high on agenda.

Objectives

§ 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 and Administrative staff

No.

Staff

Total

Qualification

Remark

1

Full-time researchers

3

MSc

2

Head of finance & admin

1

BSc

3

Guards

7

Academic staff on research activities

No.

Academic Rank

Total No.

Remark

1

PhD

2

2

Assistant Professor

1

4

Lecturer

7

5

Assistant lecturer

3

1 female

Ø The center will hire other staff upon completion of building

Ø 16 research on highland fruits, root, root tubers and vegetables are on

Ø 2 MSc students are working on thesis at GHFVRC on highland fruits