Plant Tissue Culture Research and Development in Ethiopia: A Case Study on Current Status, Opportunities, and Challenges

Plant tissue culture (PTC) is one of the well-adapted and practiced biotechnology tools in Ethiopia. After the initial success of tissue culture at the Ethiopian Institute of Agriculture Research and Addis Ababa University, the technology spread its roots to most of the research institutes and universities across the country. Consequently, the technology continues to extend at the commercial level. However, there is a lack of information at the national level on the capacity of national institutes in terms of available infrastructure and skilled human power, the potential of the laboratories for tissue culture-related activities, and existing challenges that hinder tissue culture research and development. This study aimed to assess the status of tissue culture research and development in Ethiopia and identify gaps that hinder its application in various economic sectors. The primary data were collected from 19 tissue culture laboratories across the country using questionnaires and physical observation. Accordingly, the results of the study revealed that Jimma Agricultural Research Center from the federal research institute and Amhara Regional Agriculture Research Institute, Bahir Dar Laboratory, from the regional research institute are relatively well equipped with facilities and equipment for tissue culture R&D activities. Among the commercial laboratories, Tigray Biotechnology Center is well equipped and has the highest production capacity with 40 million seedlings per year. Besides, the assessment revealed that a total of 54 plant species have been under in vitro protocol optimization and development process across all PTC laboratories. Nevertheless, tissue culture application in public and private sectors in Ethiopia is limited by several technical, administrative, and financial constraints. Therefore, to exploit the maximum benefit of PTC technology in the existing facilities, further intervention is critical in solving the identified challenges.