The roots of agricultural research in Tigray can be traced back to the devastating drought of 1972. This catastrophe, marked by crop failures, lack of animal feed and widespread famine, prompted a United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (UN-FAO) mission to visit northern Ethiopia (including Tigray, Wollo, and Eritrea) in 1973. Following a thorough assessment, the UN-FAO mission recommended establishing a research center in Tigray, with potential testing sites in other drought-prone areas of Ethiopia. The then Institute of Agricultural Research (IAR) initially expanded its varietal screening research at Illala-Mekelle, a site affiliated with the Holeta Research Center. Recognizing the need for a broader approach, the UN-FAO mission returned in 1974. They evaluated the progress at Illala and reviewed findings from the Tigray Rural Development Study (TRDS). This evaluation led them to conclude that the region required integrated natural resources management (NRM) research that went beyond just testing different crop varieties. The mission recommended that the UN Development Programme (UNDP) provide funding, and that the UN-FAO recruit scientists with expertise in various disciplines.

With this crucial backing, the Mekelle Research Center was established in 1974. Initially, a multidisciplinary team from FAO provided valuable expertise in dryland farming, soil and water conservation, ecology, and the development of appropriate farming implements. This collaborative effort laid a strong foundation for integrated NRM research. Unfortunately, due to political circumstances, the FAO team left in 1976, and the program shifted to Nazreth Research Center. The Mekelle center remained inactive until its rehabilitation in 1993. Following the decentralization of the research system in 1998, it became an independent regional research center. In 1999, with the establishment of the Tigray Agricultural Research Institute (TARI) through Negarit Gazeta proclamation No. 36/1999, the MARC became one of its six core facilities. Since then, it has focused on dryland agricultural research, playing a pivotal role in improving agricultural practices throughout the region.

MARC boasts a highly trained researchers with expertise across various disciplines, ensuring they can effectively address demand-driven research projects. The departments are arranged in research core process

2. Organizational setup and capacity:

The center has been organized under four research thematic areas named as research core processes MARC boasts a highly trained researchers with expertise across various disciplines, ensuring they can effectively address demand-driven research projects.

• Crop Research Core Process: 8 PhDs, 6 PhD candidates, 8 MScs, and 2 BScs
• Livestock Research Core Process: 8 PhD, 3 PhD candidates, 5 MSc, 1 MSc candidate and 1 BSc) and 1 farm technician.
• Natural Resources and Management Research Core Process: 1 PhD, 4 PhD candidates, 7 MScs, and 1 technician
• Socioeconomics and Extension Research Core Process: 4 MSc researchers

The center possesses a diverse network of experimental sites strategically located across Mekelle, Gerba Gifa, Wukro, and Adigrat. These sites provide researchers with a variety of environmental conditions to conduct real-world experiments, fostering the development of adaptable and regionally relevant solutions.

3. Mission and Focus

Mission: To improve agricultural productivity, food security, and livelihoods in Tigray through research, capacity building, and technology dissemination.

Research focus: Crops, livestock, natural resource management, and socioeconomics, and research extension

Research Mandates

• Technology generation, adapting, maintaining and disseminating proven technologies
• Maintaining, multiplying and disseminating of generated and/or adapted technologies
• Capacity building through provision of trainings to experts, farmers and other customers on generated and/or adapted technology
• Consultancy on food system, environment and climate
• Strategy development on agricultural development and related policies
• Coordinate, regulate and linkage among stakeholders involved in agricultural research

4. Research Core Processes in Action

     4.1. Crop Research Core Process

The MARC Crop Research Core Process (CRCP) has been a driving force in Tigray's agricultural development. As one of the active research program in the region, the CRCP focuses on generating and adapting crop technologies for diverse agro-ecologies. The CRCP prioritizes solutions for drought-prone areas, depleted natural resources, and biotic constraints, all factors often exacerbated by climate change. Their work aims to alleviate food insecurity, improve crop productivity, and build climate-resilient agriculture, ultimately contributing to poverty reduction and economic prosperity in Tigray's dryland.

The CRCP plays a crucial role in seed multiplication, ensuring a continuous supply of various early generation seeds (EGS) for different crops. They also maintain varietal purity (both newly released and established varieties) through the production of breeder and pre-basic seeds, which form the foundation for further seed multiplication cycles. By facilitating the multiplication of newly released varieties and making them readily available to seed producers and farmers, the CRCP ensures faster access to improved crop varieties, allowing farmers to capitalize on the advancements in crop breeding programs. Early generation seed production serves two key purposes: maintaining the genetic potential and identity of a variety and providing a regular supply of high-quality breeder seed for subsequent large-scale seed production. This ensures farmers consistently receive high-performing seeds with the desired genetic traits.

Research Thematic areas

• Cereal improvement (Bread wheat and Durum wheat and Barley)
• Pulse improvement (Lentil, Faba bean, Chick pea and Field pea)
• Horticulture improvement (Root and tuber crops, vegetable crops and fruit crops)
•  Biotechnology (Production of clean planting material for high value crops)
• Crop protection (mycology, virology, bacteriology, agricultural entomology and weed science)
• Seed technology (Early generation seed multiplication with good quality and health production)

Major Research Projects

• Broadening the genetic base of major field and horticulture crops through introduction, acquisition, hybridization, landrace collection, gene pool creation, and undertaking advanced biotechnology

•  Systematic surveillance, monitoring, early warning system and development of host resistance, integrated diseases, insects, and weeds management approach
• Introduce and develop technologies to pre-urban and urban areas (areas (home garden production like vegetables, fruits, mushroom etc…, introduction of hydroponic, vertical agriculture etc…) with special consideration employment opportunity for youths.
• Establishing and strengthening of technology multiplication and seed research

      4.2. Livestock Research Core Process

Ethiopia's vast livestock sector, a key source of income and one-third of agricultural GDP, grapples with low productivity. Despite contributing to food security, current consumption of meat, milk, and eggs falls short of global averages. To address this, the Mekelle Agricultural Research Center's Livestock Core Process, with its dedicated poultry, cattle, small ruminant, and fishery case teams, is working to improve the production and supply of these essential products. This focus on boosting productivity is expected to strengthen food security, reduce reliance on imports, and generate new jobs.

Research Thematic Areas

• Animal breeding (poultry, cattle and small ruminants)
• Animal nutrition (poultry, cattle and small ruminants)
• Animal health (poultry, cattle and small ruminants)
• Post-harvest handling (livestock products)
• Fishery

Major Research Projects

• Genetic Improvement and Indigenous Breed Conservation
• Feeds and Feeding Improvement
• Animal Health Improvement, diagnostic and vaccine development
• Enhancing fish production and productivity
• Postharvest handling and processing of livestock products to improve quality, safety and shelf life

     4.3. Natural Resource Research Core Process

Natural Resources Research core process is one of the four researches core processes of Mekelle Agricultural Research Center. This core process is mainly affianced in implementation of different researches in the fields of irrigation and water resources management, soil and water conservation and watershed development, forestry and agro-forestry and GIS and agro-meteorology researches.

Research thematic areas

• Forestry and agroforestry research
• Irrigation engineering and water resources management research
• Soil and water conservation and watershed development research
• Geospatial and Agro-meteorology research and services

Major Research Projects

Research activities on forestry and agroforestry

• Introduction, adaptation and demonstration of economically important tree species (Bamboo, Acacia saligna, Moringa)
• Biodiversity assessment and conservation
• Management of naturally regenerated plants and enrichment plantations for improved agroforestry practices
• Performance evaluation of irrigation schemes and water management practices
• Improving irrigation water management through irrigation scheduling technologies and efficient fertilization for irrigated crops; deficit irrigation
• Assessment of biological soil and water conservation measures at physically treated gullies
• Evaluation and introduction of conservation farming practices
• Performance evaluation of soil and water conservation measures
• Land resources evaluation, characterization, Classification and suitability analysis and Mapping
• Agro-climatic analysis of different agro-ecologies and production systems
• Development of climate change resilient agriculture through effective climate adaptation strategies

     4.4. Socio Economic and Extension core process

The Tigray region faces unique socioeconomic challenges that influence how extension research is conducted. Most of Tigray's population relies on rain-fed agriculture for subsistence and income. This makes them vulnerable to droughts and erratic rainfall patterns. Years of deforestation and overgrazing have contributed to soil erosion, reducing agricultural productivity. Farmers often lack access to improved seeds, fertilizers, irrigation, and credit facilities, hindering their ability to adopt new technologies. A significant portion of Tigray's population lives below the poverty line, limiting their capacity to invest in agricultural improvements. MARC's socioeconomic and extension research aims to bridge knowledge gaps and enhance community development outcomes.

Research thematic areas

• Socio Economic
• Research Extension

Major Research Projects

• Baseline survey and problem appraisal
• Input and Output marketing analysis
• Farming systems Analysis
• Agricultural production Economics
• Agricultural policy Analysis
• Natural Resources Economics
• Impact study
• Verification of improved technologies
• Demonstration of improved technologies
• Popularization of improved technologies
• Large scale demonstration
• Scaling out
• Extension system analysis
• Gender studies and mainstreaming for Agricultural Development Adoption Studies

5. Contributions of MARC to Tigray Agriculture

• Developed and disseminated drought-resistant crop varieties
• Pioneered water-saving irrigation methods
• Implemented livestock breeding programs for increased productivity.
• Introduction of estrus synchronization and mass artificial insemination for dairy improvement
• Developed animal nutrition strategies using local feed sources
• Introduced animal health practices
• Promoted sustainable land management practice
• Developed extension programs for knowledge dissemination
• Training workshops for farmers on improved agricultural practices
• Field demonstrations showcasing new technologies

6. Future aspiration

• Develop climate-smart agricultural technologies for even greater resilience.
• Utilize advanced breeding techniques (e.g., marker-assisted selection) to accelerate crop and livestock improvement.
• Explore opportunities for vertical farming and hydroponics to enhance food production in arid regions.
• Implement precision agriculture practices for optimized resource use.
• Develop innovative water harvesting and irrigation systems for water scarcity mitigation.
• Conduct research on renewable energy sources for powering agricultural operations.
• Strengthen partnerships with international research institutions for knowledge exchange and collaborative projects

7. MARC Partnerships

Mekelle Agricultural Research Center executes research projects, shares knowledge, and translates findings into practical solutions for local communities. The center fosters collaboration to amplify its impact and partnering with non-governmental and governmental organizations such as:

• Food System Resilience Program (FSRP) funded by World Bank's
• Food and Agriculture organization (FAO),
• Agricultural transformation institute (ATI)
• Participatory Agriculture and Climate Transformation (PACT), funded by IFAD
• CALM PFORR (Climate Action Through Landscape Management, Program for Results)
• Relief Society of Tigray (REST)
• UNESCO-IHE Institute for Water Education, Delft the Netherlands.
• Tigray Bureau of Agriculture and Rural Development (BoARD),
• Tigray Bureau of Science and Technology
• Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research (EIAR) and
• Mekelle University,
• Adi Grat University