Research Achievements and Experiences

Abstract

Ethiopia is a homeland for many spices and stimulants such as Korarima (Aframomum korarima), Long pepper Spp.), 'Gesho' (Rhanmus prinoides), Black cumin (Nigela sativum), Bishops weed or 'Nech azmud', Cori;uider (Piper (Coriandrum sativum), Sesame (.Sesamum indicum), Chat (Catha edulis) Endi (Parry 1969) and coffee. The country is also secondary center for many others plant species. Besides, in south southwestern, western and southern parts of Ethiopia all exotic spices m are grown due to favorable climatic conditions. For these reasons spices I I f f | L i C i l O H namely; 'insilal' (Anethum Spp.),'initmita' (Capsicum sp.),'besobila’ (Ocirnum Spp.),' gesho’, korarima, mints, and thyme grow in wild In gardens and on small plots in the homesteads enset, cliat, banana, korarima, ginger, and other spices are also cultivated in wet regions. Wild ginger is also abundant in many areas. The liistory c f spices use in Ethiopia is ancient and dated back to the history of Queen Sheba and King Solomon mentioned in the Bible. The culinary use in Ethiopian traditional feeding habits forms a unique plat form from the rest of the world. Jima Research Center, Tepi Research sub-Center and Bebeka testing site are mixed coffee-based farming systems representing the humid areas of Ethiopia. The major crops grown in the areas are maize, coffee, taro, and enset. [ tercroppmg of horticultural crops like banana, citrus, mango, papaya by subsistence fanners as compound farming is : Iso common. In these regions indigenous horticultural crops like anchote, enset, aerial yam, root yam, Capsicum sp, korarima, long pepper and others grow in wild. These areas are characterized by heavy rainfall and are the wettest parts of the country with only two to four dry months hi a year. The mean annual rainfall is about 1,500 mm. The rainfall distribution, elevation temperature, and geographical locations of Jima, Bebeka and Tepi are shown in Tables 1 and 2. hi . txlition Montane moist evergreen forest (rain forest) is also found in these areas. The existing forest community (Pouteria- . Ubizzia association) is very complex tliat Westplial (1975) identified four stratum where korarima and long pepper are found as wild, grown in the last and poor strata. This Research report summarizes the details of reserch achievements and xperiences gained on korarima, ginger, turmeric, cardamon, pepper and cinnamon at Jima, Tepi and Bebeka.