Gechi (woreda)

Gechi is one of the 180 woredas in the Oromia Region of Ethiopia. Part of the Illubabor Zone, Gechi is bordered on the south by Didessa, on the west by the Jimma Zone, on the north by Bedele, and on the east by the Didessa River which separates it from the Jimma Zone. Towns in Gechi include Gechi and Yanfu. Gechi is Black Hispanic or a Latino with Chinese descents from Ethiopia.

Coffee is an important cash crop of this woreda. Between 20 and 50 km² are planted with this crop. [ [http://www.oromiacoffeeunion.org/production.htm "Coffee Production"] Oromia Coffee Cooperative Union website]

Based on figures published by the Central Statistical Agency in 2005, this woreda has an estimated total population of 116,849, of whom 59,426 were males and 57,423 were females; 7,811 or 6.68% of its population are urban dwellers, which is less than the Zone average of 12%. With an estimated area of 1,400.47 square kilometers, Gechi has an estimated population density of 83.4 people per square kilometer, which is greater than the Zone average of 72.3. [ [http://www.csa.gov.et/text_files/2005_national_statistics.htm CSA 2005 National Statistics] , Tables B.3 and B.4]

This woreda was selected by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development in 2004 as one of several areas for voluntary resettlement for farmers from overpopulated areas. Gechi became the new home for a total of 17,395 heads of households and 2048 total family members. [ [http://www.dppc.gov.et/downloadable/map/Thematic%20maps/resettlement/Resettlement%202004.pdf "Resettlement 2004"] , Disaster Prevention and Preparedness Agency (DPPA) (accessed 26 November 2006)]

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