|
ISSN: 2360-7874 |
Academic Research Journal of
Agricultural Science and Research |
|||||||||||||||||||
|
Vol. 8(4), pp. 355-360, May 2020 Research Grapevine Research in Ethiopia: Achievements, Challenges, Opportunities and Future Prospects
Muluken Demelie Alemu
Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research (Debre Zeit Center) *Corresponding author: (mulukend04@gmail.com)
Accepted 28 May 2020
Grape and wine were known with the introduction of Christianity and used as “sacred" in the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. Vineyards were established by Italian troops who occupied part of the country and then distributed though out the country. Awash Winery was established in 1956 and then grape cultivation was realized with establishment of state owned vineyards. Ethiopia has a tradition of wine making back to reign of the Queen of Sheba. The local wine called tedj, fermented beverages of honey and gesho leaves. Grapevine research started since 1980s at Debre Zeit Agricultural Research Center and developed grapevine technologies in the areas of variety development, vineyard management, crop protection and propagation techniques. Grapevine research programme has developed thirteen grapevine varieties and also maintained 130 grapevine germplasms. There are different small and large viticulture companies for wine and table grape but only two wineries produced their own high-quality wine. Even though, Ethiopians wine drinking habits is infrequent and drink mixed one, there is an increasing of wine demand. Grapevine industry is at infant stage, this is due to less attention for Research and development, lack of technologies and unfamiliarity with grape cultivation in the country. Ethiopia has unique and suitable agro-climatic condition for grapevine production and possibility of harvesting twice a year. Grapevine research and development should get emphasis to develop and/or adopt new technologies to full fill market niches, maximize production and productivity of grapevine.
Keywords: local wine making, tedj, grapevine, wine
How to cite this article (APA Style): Muluken, D.A (2020). Grapevine Research in Ethiopia: Achievements, Challenges, Opportunities and Future Prospects. Acad. Res. J. Agri. Sci. Res. 8(4): 355-360
|
|||||||||||||||||||
