General Background

Tigray’s agricultural sector plays a vital role in the lives of its people. It provides food security, income, employment opportunities, and contributes significantly to the region’s economic development. Crop production forms the backbone of this sector, generating over 2 million tons of food crops and 36,441.61 tons of horticultural crops annually.

The Crops Research Directorate is dedicated to maximizing this potential. We conduct research, promote, and disseminate crop information, technologies, and practices to boost productivity, value addition, and competitiveness. Our goal is to enhance food security, empower local communities, and drive Tigray’s agricultural success

Research Centers and Expertise

Six agricultural research centers strategically located across Tigray’s diverse agro-ecologies focus on various crops

Our dedicated team comprises researchers with diverse educational backgrounds, from Diplomas to Ph.D.s, ensuring a comprehensive approach to crop research

Research Priorities for a Sustainable Future

We address critical thematic areas to ensure food security and agricultural prosperity:

• Food and Nutrition Security: Improving crop productivity and quality to meet the nutritional needs of the region.
• Climate Resilience: Developing climate-smart agricultural practices to adapt to changing weather patterns.
• Value Addition: Enhancing agro-processing and promoting export commodities to increase farm income.
• Job Creation: Introducing income-generating crops and empowering women and youth in agriculture.
• Urban Agriculture: Promoting sustainable food production practices within urban areas.

Strategic Interventions and Partnerships

Our research activities encompass various key areas:

• Genetic Improvement: Developing new crop varieties with improved yield and disease resistance.
• Agronomy & Physiology: Optimizing crop management practices for higher productivity.
• Plant Protection: Developing and implementing effective pest and disease control strategies.
• Plant Tissue Culture: Rapid multiplication of disease-free planting materials.
• Technology Promotion: Disseminating research findings and best practices to farmers.

We collaborate with a wide range of stakeholders to amplify our impact:

• Farmers: The beneficiaries of our research, we work closely with them to ensure technology adoption.
• Government Agencies: Partnering with relevant bureaus to develop agricultural policies and programs.
• Private Sector: Collaborating with agro-industries, seed enterprises, and cooperatives for market access and technology dissemination.
• Research Institutions: Sharing knowledge and expertise with Ethiopian and international research organizations.
• Non-Governmental Organizations: Partnering with NGOs to address food security challenges.

Research Impact: Cultivating Success

Our research has yielded significant results:

• Released 29 improved crop varieties
• Developed and recommended numerous crop technologies
• Increased crop productivity through innovative agronomic practices
• Introduced integrated pest management (IPM) strategies
• Maintained a germplasm bank for future research and breeding programs
• Produced early generation seeds for further multiplication
• Promoted adoption of improved technologies across Tigray

Get in Touch

We are committed to fostering a thriving agricultural sector in Tigray. Contact us to learn more about our research and how we can collaborate to create a brighter future.

Yirgalem Tsehaye (Ph.D.)

Senior Researcher

Email: yirgatsehaye@gmail.com Cell phone: 0914763749