The Integrated Agricultural Input and Mechanization Service Center, built by the Ethiopian Agricultural Businesses Corporation in Bonga City, was inaugurated last Saturday, February 8, 2025 and has officially commenced its services.
Here is a brief description of the project.
The Ethiopian Agricultural Businesses Corporation (EABC) is a public enterprise that has practically proven itself as a beacon of hope for Ethiopian farmers and pastoralists.
It provides agricultural inputs and farm equipment that boost production and productivity, while also facilitating access to integrated mechanization services across the country.
To extend its services, the Corporation has established 25 branches in various regions, enabling farmers, semi-pastoralists, investors, development organizations, agricultural colleges, and other users to access improved seeds, solid & liquid (including foliar) fertilizers, agrochemicals, veterinary drugs, farm equipment, spare parts, mechanization services, and transport vehicles (heavy goods transportation).
As part of its expansion efforts in the southwest regions, the Corporation established a branch office in 2021 in Bonga, the capital city of the Southwest Ethiopia People’s Region. Farms were also established in Tamashalo and Coca within the region for the production of improved seeds and export crops.
Furthermore, the Corporation works with investors and farmers in the region to multiply improved seeds through contractual frameworks.
In addition, EABC has built an Integrated Agricultural Input and Mechanization Service Center on a 2.5-hectare plot in Bonga City, Kafa Zone which is the historical birthplace of coffee. The Center, located 470 kilometers from Addis Ababa, has now commenced operations.
This significant project, built with a capital investment of nearly 743 million birr, began construction at the end of 2022 following the signing of the contractual agreement and handover of project site documents on March 5, 2022.
Features of the Center
The facility includes:
- A multi-purpose four-storey building
- A seed cleaning facility capable of preparing over 150,000 quintals of seeds annually
- Four large agricultural input storage warehouses with a total capacity of 115 quintals
- An Agricultural Machinery & Technology Showroom
- A seed quality control laboratory and
- Other service units with a full- package
Importance of the Center
The Integrated Input and Mechanization Service Center benefits not only the people of Southwest Ethiopia but also farmers, semi-pastoralists, development organizations, investors, and local communities in neighboring regions and zones.
Its key benefits include:
- Providing high-quality improved seeds, solid & foliar fertilizers, agrochemicals, and veterinary drugs at affordable prices
- It saves the cost of transporting seeds from distant locations
- Assists in providing nearby sales and rental services for farm equipment
- Expanding access to integrated mechanization services
- Offering technical training, consultancy, and maintenance along with after-sales service
- Promoting the modernization of agriculture, thereby increasing production and productivity
- Improving the livelihoods of farmers and semi-pastoralists
- Creating direct and indirect employment opportunities for local youth
- Enhancing the aesthetic appeal of Bonga City
Modernizing Agriculture is Our Goal!
