The centre is situated in agro ecological zone 5 (LM5) soils are volcanic fluvisols of sandy/silty clay loam texture, slightly acid to slightly alkaline, highly fertile with adequate, P,K,Ca, Mg but low N and C. Annual rainfall mean is 654mm and Et is 1360 mm. annual mean, Mean max, mean min,  and extreme max temperatures are: 24.6, 32.4, 16.8, and 37.7 deg C. respectively. Major land uses are, irrigated and dryland farming, pastoralism involving rearing of cattle, goats, sheep, and camels as well as beekeeping.