Illubabor (Oromo: Illuu Abbaa Booraa) is a zone in Oromia Region of Ethiopia. Illubabora is named for the former province Illubabor. It is bordered on the south by the Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples Region, on the southwest by the Gambela Region, on the west by Kelem Welega Zone, on the north by West Welega Zone, and Benishangul-Gumuz Region, on the northwest by East Welega Zone, and on the east by Jimma. Towns and cities in Illubabora include Bedele, Gore and Metu.
The Central Statistical Agency (CSA) reported that 14,855 tons of coffee were produced in this zone in the year ending in 2005, based on inspection records from the Ethiopian Coffee and Tea authority. This represents 12.9% of the Region's output and 6.5% of Ethiopia's total output.[1]
Historically, Illubabora has been considered one of the food-exporting areas of Ethiopia, but beginning in 1997 poor crops harvests and the appearance of crop diseases such as Grey leaf spot, caused by the fungus Cercospora zeaemaydis (not previously common in Ethiopia) led to a deterioration in conditions. By 1999, signs of the seriousness of the situation included empty household granaries, people begging and committing crimes in the hope they will be fed in jail, sending children to live with relatives or friends, and reduced student enrollment in schools.[2]
- ^ CSA 2005 National Statistics Archived July 31, 2008, at the Wayback Machine, Table D.2
- ^ Dechassa Lemessa, "Prosperity Fades: Jimma and Illubabora Zones of Oromia Region", UN-OCHA report November 1999 (accessed 3 April 2009)