The Ethiopian government has announced plans to build a new 90 million dollars coffee research center in the country's south.
Located in Yirgacheffe, a renowned coffee growing region, the facility aims to support research and innovation for Ethiopia's coffee industry.
Dilla University, based near Yirgacheffe, will lead the project in partnership with Ethiopia's Coffee and Tea Authority and Association of Coffee Producers.
"To remain competitive globally, Ethiopia needs a center of excellence for coffee research," said Adugna Debella, Director of the Coffee and Tea Authority.
Construction is set to begin soon on the land secured by Dilla University, according to Chirotaw Ayele, President of Dilla University.
"We have already secured a titledeed of the land where the research centre will be built," he said.
Last week, a funding mobilization event was held in Yirgacheffe town.
The event was organized by Dilla University in cooperation with the Coffee and Tea Authority, where 90 million birr (approximately $1.6 million) was pledged toward construction costs.
As coffee currently accounts for around 1.4 billion dollars annually in exports, the new research center intends to strengthen Ethiopia's position as a global coffee leader through supporting its signature cash crop. Its location in the prized Yirgacheffe region aims to leverage local expertise.
