Genet, Ethiopia

: For|the town in the Mirab Shewa Zone|Holeta Genet

Genet (also known as Genet Limmu and formerly as Suntu) is a town in southern Ethiopia. Located in the Jimma Zone of the Oromia Region, this town has a latitude and longitude of coord|08|06|N|36|57|E with an elevation of 1773 meters above sea level. It is the administrative center of Limmu Kosa woreda.

Based on figures from the Central Statistical Agency in 2005, Genet has an estimated total population of 12,037 of whom 6,063 were males and 5,974 were females. [ [http://www.csa.gov.et/text_files/2005_national_statistics.htm CSA 2005 National Statistics] , Table B.4] The 1994 census reported this town had a total population of 6,729 of whom 3,288 were males and 3,441 were females.

History

The town of Suntu was renamed Limmu Genet by Dejazmach Mesfin Sileshi when he was governor of the province. A coffee washing center was established in the late 1950s, and in its first regular working season (1956/57) processed 300 tons, which yielded about 75 tons of cleaned coffee beans. [http://130.238.24.99/library/resources/dossiers/local_history_of_ethiopia/s/ORTSOR.pdf "Local History in Ethiopia"] (pdf) The Nordic Africa Institute website (accessed 11 December 2007)]

In 1962 a trail connecting Genet to Welkite was passable by trucks in the dry season. An all weather road south to Jimma was built in 1966 by the Highway Authority.

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