The Southwest Ethiopia Agricultural research Institute (SWEARI) is honoring its responsibilities of delivering and continually improving various agricultural technologies and their recommended applications and production methods by coordinating its research activities through various work processes and coordination offices, with the ultimate goal of ensuring food security and reducing poverty in the country in line with the Government’s development direction.

The major strategic goals of crop research in SWEARI are:

• Supplying competent, effective and suitable agricultural technologies in adequate amount applicable to agro-processing industries, export market, food and nutrition enhancement
• Enhance institutional executing capacities;
• Enabled in adequately multiplying and supplying initial technologies to diversified cropping systems: Belg and rain fed system, irrigation system, cropping system etc.
• Enhancing transfer of research outputs, skill and knowledge for development

The Crop Research Directorate conducts important research and development activities in collaboration with various agricultural institutions and partners. These efforts aim to boost farmers’ productivity and improve market efficiency. The research also focuses on coordinating agricultural activities, scaling out technologies, building capacity, and providing support where needed. The Directorate is committed to supplying sustainable technologies based on regional development goals, institutional strengths, and strategic planning.

The Directorate’s mandate includes creating improved crop varieties and management options, emphasizing modern breeding techniques and optimized processes. Their research aligns with national goals for food and nutrition security, foreign exchange earnings, and support for agro-processing industries. The sector also targets climate-resilient varieties and adapts technologies for quicker accessibility of improved crops. Crop pests, including insects, vertebrates, diseases, and weeds, are causing significant economic harm to Ethiopian agriculture, with losses ranging from 30-50% in crop quantity and quality. These pests threaten product quality and reduce export potential. The introduction of new invasive pests and changes in existing pest status exacerbate these challenges. Agriculture in Ethiopia faces constraints due to both biotic and abiotic factors, impacting its role in national development. The lack of effective pest management services has resulted in inadequate monitoring and poor pest control decisions, leading to increased pest establishment, resistance to pesticides, and reliance on uncontrolled pesticide use. Crop research has 15 regional research programs organized under it to carry out the assigned tasks.

1. Coffee Research Program
2. Maize, sorghum, finger millet and Amaranths Research Program
3. Wheat, Barley and Teff Research Program
4. Rice Research Program
5. Low land Pulse Research Project
6. Highland Pulse Research Project
7. Enset Variety Improvement Research Program
8. Sweet potato Research Program
9. Cassava Research Program
10. Taro and Areal Yam Research Program
11. Fruit Crops Research Program
12. Spice Research Program
13. Crop protection Research Program
14. Food Science Research Program
15. Post-Harvest Handling Research Program

Nutrition and Agricultural Products Protocol Synthesis Division Activities

1) Indigenous foods characterization

• Staple and occasional foods
• Traditional beverages
• Traditional snacks
• Orphan (wild) fruits, vegetables, and herbs

2) Alternative food product development and innovation

• Food formulations and fortifications
• Value addition: censorial, nutritional

3) Food processing technologies

• Processing techniques
• Preservation and packaging
• Processing method comparisons and modifications
• Processing effect on nutrient retention and anti-nutritional factors
• Postharvest handling, postharvest loss reduction and knowledge gap assessment techniques

4) Food product popularization

• Processing, preservation and handling practices adoption and/or popularization
• Product adoption and/or popularization