The Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research inaugurated the Agricultural Quality Research Laboratory. The crop testing laboratory is expected to help enhance the quality of national agricultural products to become more competitive on the international market.
The Ministry of Agriculture launched the first agricultural products quality monitoring and testing laboratory to serve as the main national quality monitoring unit for coffee and other agricultural products, about two years ago noted Tefera Deribaw, Minister of Agriculture speaking at the inauguration ceremony.
The laboratory was launched with the support of Digata Industries and Development Partners, UNDP and JICA he said.The renovation and remodeling of this laboratory is also in line with the aim to better take into account the quality criterion of destination markets within the framework of quality objectives and internationally recognized standards explained Tefera.
The laboratory is equipped with modern technology allowing stakeholders and investors to obtain accurate information on Ethiopian agricultural commodities said Deresse Teshome, Public Relations Head for the Institute.
The process of renovation also included the training of laboratory technicians and researchers in the latest standards and their implementation it was noted.
Agricultural production accounts for 41% of national GDP and makes up 80% of exports and employs 80% of the total population.
Source: Ethiopian Herald
