Background

Ethiopia is one of the major centres of origin/diversity for several horticultural crops, including  leafy vegetables, root and tuber crops, spices, coffee and ornamental flowers. Consequently, such plants like 'Enset' (Ensete ventricosum) 'Oromo dinich' (Plectranthus edulis) 'Anchote' (Coccinia abyssinica) are believed to have been domesticated in Ethiopia, the result of which has made significant contribution to the wide genetic diversity. Vegetable crops such as Capsicum spp. shallot and garlic (Allium spp.), Ethiopian kale (Brassica carinata,B. integrifolia) etc. and some spices such as kororima (Aframomum corrarima), dill (Anethum graveolens), cumin (Cuminum cyminum) have either been indigenous or introduced long ago that their genetic base has been diversified in Ethiopia. The diversity of horticultural crops both between and within the species is immense. The potential of the country's horticultural crops genetic resources can be recognised by the number of wild and semi-domesticated species available. Even though there are no exhaustive, lists, past records indicate the wealth of the genetic resources in horticultural crops of the country. About 29 wild and semi-domesticated species (Allium alibile , A. subhirstumu, Piper capense)

P.guineense, Plectranthrus lanuginosus Cucurbita ficifolium, C. moschata, Capsicum spp.) were recorded from 17 families (Dioscoreaceae,Lamiaceae, Alliaceae, Solanaceae. Piperaceae etc.) Fruit crops such as grapevine (Vitis vinifera), peach (Prunus persica), pine apple (Ananas comosus), papaya (Carica papaya), orange, lemon, grapefruit (Citrus spp), fig (Ficus carica) strawberry (Fragaria vesca), Mango (Mangifera indica) etc. are introduced long ago and the established orchards are scattered all over the country. 

Ethiopia is considered to be the centre of origin and diversity for Coffea arabica, and it is believed to have originated in the humid, high rain forest of southwestern part of Ethiopia. However coffee grows in a wide rage of ecology, from semi-savannah climate of the Gambella Plains (500 masl.) to the wet mountain forest zones of the south west and in gardens and back yards of south, east and northern regions (up to 2600 masl.) of the country. Coffea arabica is one of the largest commodities, in the world market, which contributes over 80% of the world's coffee production. It has tremendous impact on the economic, social and spiritual life of the people in the different geographical location and cultural background.

Coffee (Coffea arabica) has an enormous genetic variation for different agronomic and quality traits. Resistant materials for Coffee Berry Disease (CBD), leaf rust, etc. were collected and recorded from the Ethiopia. Coffee plays a vital role in the national economy and, it accounts for more than 60% of the total export earning thus contribution of coffee in export market and foreign currency earning is very high. 

Non-cultivated edible plants are important food sources consumed in the different parts of the country, the edible parts of the plants include fruits, leafy vegetables, tubers, trunks, inflorescence, nectar, rhizome, seeds and flowers. Mostly fruits (Carisa edulis, Cordia africana, Ficus spp. etc.) are consumed 

Cultural and ecological variation in the country have contributed to the occurrence of diverse genetic resources in several horticultural crops and their wild relatives. Most of the horticultural crops make significant contribution to the national economy, crop plants such as 'enset' (Ensete ventricosum) sweet potato (Ipomoa batatas), yam (Dioscoria spp), 'oromo dinich' (Plectranthrus edulis) and potato (Solanum tuberosum) are occurring in the densely populated regions. Vegetables like Capsicum and Allium are indispensable parts of the local dishes, this indicates that considerable proportions of the population derive their livelihood from growing vegetables and fruits including pine apple (Ananas comosus), Papaya (Carica papaya), Citrus spp. Ficus carica. Strawberry (Fragaria vesca) , Mango ( Mangifera indica) etc. 

The Ethiopian diet is enriched with many spices having distinct flavour, aroma and pungency. Therefore, spices play a significant role in the daily food preparation and are known to hold a very peculiar position in the overall cultural heritage of the society. Spices, which still exist in the wild often, show remarkable degrees of disease resistance, which is important in the development of new varieties in the future. These crops have great importance to the country's economy as traditional export commodity and are very well known as income generating wild and cultivated plants. 

The contribution of perennial fruits and crops such as 'enset' to the natural resource conservation in the south and south-western part of the country also merit mention. 'Enset' serves as a staple food for about ten million people who live mostly in dense and distinct settlements. The genetic diversity of 'enset' plays a significant role in the development of disease resistant varieties, which is one of the major production constraints. 

Past achievements

Institute of Biodiversity Conservation and Research (former PGRC/E) since its establishment about 7 species of vegetables, 13 species of spices, 9 species of roots and tuber crops including 'enset', and coffee are collected and conserved both in the cold storage facilities and field genebank. 

Economically important fruit crops were introduced to the country long ago. These crops were produced by the farmers in the different parts of the country and recently by the large-scale producers (private and public). The introduced and locally collected materials are valuable genetic sources for the future development. 

Traditional management practices of horticultural crops have contributed to the conservation of these genetic resources. In the different parts of the country, home gardens produce a wide range of food and other products that are very important in many ways. Fresh fruits and vegetables, roots and tubers and other categories used as cash crops, staples and/ supplementary foods are obtained from home gardens. They are also places where many indigenous crops such as coffee (Coffea arabica), 'Enset' (ensete ventricosum) Ethiopian kale (Brassica carinata) etc., have evolved, diversified and maintained. This long-standing tradition of families as custodians and breeders of germplasm of horticultural crops has been in existence for many years, which significantly contributed to the conservation and sustainable utilisation of horticultural crops genetic resources. 

Future plan 

To promote the conservation and sustainable utilisation of the horticultural crops genetic resources, the department identified the following program frames.

	Monitoring and recording the distribution, occurrence frequency etc of the horticultural crops genetic diversity in the different farming systems.
	Surveying and studying the genetic erosion and vulnerability of horticultural crops genetic resources
	Studying the significance of species diversity in the local farming system
	Studying the nutrition, export, and environmental potential of horticultural crop species
	Exploring, identifying, collecting, conserving and evaluating indigenous fruits and vegetables including the uncultivated but edibles and their importance
	Conducting morphological, and biochemical evaluation and characterisation of the accessions
	Establishing inter-institutional linkage for horticultural crop characterisation, evaluation, enhancement etc. with research and academic institutions.
	Strengthening the conservation capacity of the institute both for in-situ and ex-situ

	Promoting public awareness about the importance and values of conservation and sustainable utilisation of horticultural crops genetic diversity.
	Building institutional capacity in terms of human resource and infrastructure to make the programme effective and efficient.

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Last modified: May 10, 2001