Machara Agricultural Research Center 

Establishment

Mechara Agricultural Research Center is one among seventeen research centers currently operating under Oromia Agricultural Research Institute (IQQO), in Western Hararghe Zone, Oromia National Regional State. It is established in 1997 E.C. on 45ha land & is located 434 km to the east of Finfinne, Capital city of Ethiopia and based at Mechara, Daro Labu district. It is 115 km from Ciro, Zonal Capital to the south road that connects to Arsi and Bale Zones. Its latitudinal and longitudinal positions are 40⁰19.114 North and 08⁰35.589 East respectively. Its altitude is 1760 m.a.s.l with annual average temperature and rainfall 16⁰C and 963 mm respectively.

The major soil type of the center is sandy loam clay which is reddish in color. Besides main research station, the center has research sub sites at Miceta, Hawi Gudina and Hunde Lafto in West Hararghe zone and Bedano sub site in East Hararghe zone with mandate to adapt, generate and disseminate crop, livestock and natural resources management technologies for varying agro ecologies extending from lowland to highland of Western Hararghe Zone as a whole & some part of East Hararghe and Arsi zone of Oromia National Regional State on coffee and tea research.

Currently, the center implements the business structured under two main staff namely research process and supportive process to accomplish settled goal and objectives in the mandate area.

Research Directorate:  

1. Crop,
2. Crop Protection,
3. Coffee and Tea,
4. Natural Resource Management,
5. Livestock,
6. Agricultural Engineering and
7. Socio Economics & Agricultural  Extension

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