On August 2, 2025, Dr. Karta Kaske, Director General of the Ethiopian Biodiversity Institute, and Dr. Abiyot Berhanu, Deputy Director General of the Ethiopian Biodiversity Institute, along with the institute’s management bodies, researchers, Ginir Woreda city administration, and farmers  visited the Harawa One Field Gene Bank.

The local community welcomed the guests by preparing traditional food in accordance with the country’s cultural traditions and customs.

During the visit, Mr. Wubeshet Teshome, the LEO of Crop and Horticulture Biodiversity Research, welcomed the researchers and farmers in Harawa Kebele Zero One and thanked all the leading researchers of the institute who sponsored the projects and contributed to their efforts here, as well as Dr. Yeshitila Mekibeb explained the purpose of the visit. Dr. Karta Kaske, Director General of the Ethiopian Biodiversity Institute, was invited to give an opening speech and discuss future directions. 

Dr. Karta Kaske greeted the farmers, community members, district administrators, and kebele leaders and began his speech by acknowledging Ethiopia’s biodiversity resources.

“I would like to thank you for your efforts to utilize the genetic resources of our ancestors, which have been passed down to farmers and consumers, by selecting 80 out of the 16,000 wheat varieties stored in the Ethiopian Biodiversity Institute Genbank and testing 4 of them.

 It has just begun, but apart from wheat, there are still many untapped crops such as barley, teff, maize,lentils, and sorghum; if we continue with this, we can facilitate the use of Ethiopian resources for the benefit of the people.

 However, you should be careful that the results of the varieties you have taken should be registered and collected so that they are not sold in other markets,” he said.

“Our researchers, Dr. Yeshitila and Dr. Tamene, will continue to work on this; after all, I don’t have to say much before I see it. I would like to express my joy at being here, thank you,” he added.

Led by Dr. Yeshitila and Mr. Wubeshet, the delegation was able to test the four wheat varieties that are disease-resistant, drought-resistant, have good yields and taste, and are used as industrial inputs. The field visit was concluded by the institute’s research experts and two hardworking farmer practical researchers. The professional analysis and discussion seemed to be a place where we began to understand and negotiate peace not only with ourselves but also with nature, and it was filled with hope.

This discovery and result mark a time when the future will be a time when Ethiopia’s biodiversity will rise with a new vision, where it will revive and strive for the prosperity of Ethiopia.