1.1 Location

Yirgachefe town is located in southern part of Ethiopia in South Nations, Nationalities and Peoples Regional State, ሶተሀ ፈ Addis Ababa along the road to Moyale at a distance of 395 km, 126 km from Hawassa the regional capital and 36 km from Dilla capital of Gedeo Zone. Its astronomical location is 6ºC 13’ North latitude and 38ºC 14’ East longitude. It is bordered in the North by Adame, in South Koniga, in the East Koke and Haru and in the West Sadina Hafursa farmers association.

1.2 Foundation

Yirgachefe was recognized as a town since 1924. The main factors for the establishment of the town were the presence of internationally recognized Coffee Arabica in the surrounding area of the town, its being economic and political administration center and conducive climate of the area. Yirgachefe town has got its present name from its geographical character. The area where the town exists is rich in water and it has swampy areas and it got its name from this characteristics. Data shows that Yirgachefe town got municipal status since 1963. In 2001/02 the SNNP Regional State Works and Urban Development Bureau study has classified it as one of the emerging town administrations in the region. Currently Yirgachefe is one of the reform towns in the region and has a city administration, municipality and kebelles.