A study case on coffee (Coffea arabica): Limu Coffe - IRD

since the 70’s and the socialist government policies. Nowadays, the bulk of planted coffees (if
it is not the whole) are selected varieties. So far there are 14 coffee selected cultivars released
and cultivated in Limu Kosa woreda (and 18 in whole coffee areas of south western and
western regions of the country):
S.N Cultivar Growth habit 15
1
16
Suitable area
74-1 Open Medium-high altitude
2 74-4 Open Low-medium-high altitude
3 74-40 Intermediate Low-medium-high altitude
4 74-54 Intermediate Low-medium-high altitude
5 74-87 Intermediate Medium-high altitude
6 74-110 Compact Medium-high altitude
7 74-112 Compact Medium-high altitude
8 74-140 Compact Medium-high altitude
9 74-148 Compact Medium-high altitude
10 74-158 Compact Medium-high altitude
11 74-165 Compact Medium-high altitude
12 75-4 Open Medium-high altitude
13 75-227 Open Medium-high altitude
14 F-59 Open Low-medium altitude
Table 3: Limu Kosa selected coffee cultivars (CPDE, 2005)
These cultivars are coffee berry disease (CBD) resistant, results of the Jima
Agricultural Research Centre. Compared with some other producing countries average yields,
Ethiopian ones appeared to be lower and not satisfactory; noticing this, the latter Ethiopian
institute, with stations in principal growing regions, is working at the development and use of
improved coffee varieties, mainly for disease resistance and high yield through the following
research work procedure (Banttee, 1995):
15 Open, intermediate and compact respectively point out big, middle and little canopy covered area.
16 These altitudinal zones vary according to scientists but, in the classification of the Jima Research Center, high
lands (dega) are > 1750 masl, mid lands (woïnadega) > 1550 masl and low lands (kola) < 1550 masl.
14