In Ethiopia, despite the enormous wealth of genetic diversity the average national coffee yield remains low. This
is largely attributed to the predominant use of traditional coffee varieties and husbandry practices. The Jimma
Research Center (JRC) has released a total of 37 coffee varieties along with improved agronomic and
processing techniques. However, the inadequate supply of high quality coffee seeds still remains a major
barrier, mainly due to the absence of a formal coffee seed system in the country. The JRC had been and is still
shouldering the huge task of producing and supplying coffee seeds and seedlings. The results depicted
substantial variations among coffee varieties across seasons. A total of 17, 5641 kg of improved coffee seeds
have been produced and dispatched to the various coffee growers in the country. The request for coffee seeds
is increasing at an alarming rate with wider gaps between the demand and supply. The results of specialty
coffee multiplication and distribution initiative depicted a 48% and 66% achievement for coffee seeds and
seedlings, respectively. These were distributed to model famers, private investors and state farms. Further,
twenty specialty coffee seed orchards were also established. Sustainable coffee seed system requires, among
others, strengthening and supporting coffee research centers, small-scale farmers, private and state coffee
farms. This paper is therefore an attempt to share experiences on the current status of coffee seed production
and seed system in Ethiopia. It also presents the challenges, opportunities and future directions for effective
and efficient coffee seed systems in the country.