Utilization of Bean Innovations for Food Security and Improved Livelihoods in Eastern and Central Africa | Crop Management (Crop Varieties)

Description of the technology or innovation
Traditionally common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) are of great importance for household food and nutrition security, both for the rural and urban populations. Beans are high in antioxidants, fibre, cholesterol-free dietary protein, B vitamins, iron, magnesium, potassium, copper and zinc. Eating beans regularly also has a number of health benefits like decreasing the risk of diabetes, heart disease, colorectal cancer, and helps with weight management. They are also becoming a potential source of occupation and income for the resource poor farmers especially youth and women. In Rwanda, Uganda, Burundi and Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) bean production occupies about 2 million hectares, which represents about 50% of the area grown to beans in Africa http://www.asareca.org/researchdir/files/nppfullbeans.pdf.
During the time when ASARECA operated through commodity networks, it funded a number of bean research projects in collaboration with Eastern and Central African Bean Research Network (ECABREN), but, the generated products had not yet been up scaled to the target farming communities. To build on the achievements of ECABREN and to synergize the efforts of other organizations promoting bean production and utilization such as Centre for International Agriculture (CIAT),Pan
Africa Bean Research Alliance (PABRA), Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) and HarvestPlus (H+), ASARECA funded another three bean projects in Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Uganda, Burundi, and Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), These are: “Intensification of Climbing BeansSystemsin the Great Lakes Region” from2009 to 2011, and “Enhancing Competitiveness of Snap Beans for Domestic and Export Markets” during 2006, and from 2009-2011and “Utilization of Bean
Innovations for Food Security and Improved Livelihoods in Eastern and Central Africa” from2011 to 2013”.
The above projects were developed to address a number of production and economical constraints that farming households were facing and these included; a) severe shortage of arable land and land exhaustion, b) shortage of improved bean varieties (tolerant to shoot and root diseases), c) shortage of woody stakes (traditionally used for supporting climbing beans), d) inadequate extension advisory services, e) use of inappropriate agronomic practices f) extensive household food and nutrition
insecurity and g) widespread rural household poverty. All these problems led to severe shortage and very high demand for beans in the ASARECA region. As part of the solution to address the problem of low productivity, development of new technologies (varieti es that are more productive, nutritive and marketable), innovations and management Practices (TIMPs) were proposed. The projects aimed at the promotion and utilization of improved common bean innovations, of both snap and dry beans varieties; for increased food, nutrition and income security and livelihood improvements in Kenya, Tanzania,
Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi and DRC.
Improved common bean varieties (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) technology is a genetic resource. The bean varieties are developed after intensive research work in screen houses, laboratories, open fields both at the research institutes and farmer’s fields. Farmers’ participatory variety selection approach was used. Common bean varieties are classified based on different attributes such as the growth habit (erect, semiclimber and climbers shown below).
Heavily podded climbing beans Semi-climibing beans Bush or erect beans
Farmer carrying semi-climbing beans on their stakes
response to prevalent pests and diseases (susceptible, tolerant and resistant), days to maturity (short, medium and long), stage of growth at consumption (leafy vegetable, immature pods nown as snap beans, fresh and dry beans), testa and/or pod; shape of pod and seed (round, oval, kidney etc) colour (green, yellow or red pods, red, white, yellow mottled etc seed),, suitable location; altitude (low, medium and high), soils (poor soils, salty soils etc), yield (low, medium and high), marketability, nutritional (high micronutrient, high fatty amino acids, fortified etc) and culinary characteristics (good taste, swelling when cooked, fast cooking etc), intercropping ability just to mention a few.
Improved climbing beans give higher economic yields in areas of high rainfall, but, are also tolerant to drought because of their deep root system. Green pods and also the fresh and dried mature seeds are consumed in different ways. The latter are used in stews, soups or salads while the former are boiled or fried especially in the urban areas and in hotels. On the other hand, in the rural areas dry bean grains are cooked alone or in a mixture with staple crops like maize, cassava, sweetpotatoes, and potatoes. Under
the ASARECA projects farmers were taught how to make bean based products for income generation and improved household food security (see photos below).
Display of different bean-based dishes of both leaves Various bean-based products for income generation
and grains
In order to benefit the farmers, improved bean varieti es are not used in isolation, but, combination with selected production practices (crop management/husbandry practices); post-harvest/value addition products & practices. The promoted TIMPs preserve natural resources and biodiversity management practices and do not lead to degradation of the environment. Bean variety development is a long process involving gathering practices laboratory techniques and green house screening; marketing practices; and capacity building and providing the knowledge and skills needed to use them. All the new bean varieties were developed, evaluated and promoted in the project countries and other member countries for ECABREN, CIAT/PABRA, AGRA and HarvestPlus. Sometimes a different name was used for the
same variety. Different countries played different roles during development of the improved varieties. Rwanda and Kenya generated several varieties including two climbing snap bean varieties. The development of climbing snap beans was a major breakthrough. The countries shared all the generated TIMPs.
Description of the Improved Bean Varieties
a) G13607 Twungurumuryango/Makutsa 2
Twungurumuryango/Makutsa2(G13607)is one of the improved and productive climbing bean varieties that were developed and is now ready for scaling out. It is an early maturing climbing bean variety; matures within 110-120 days after planting, not bio-fortified although it is high in iron and Zinc micronutrients. It has a red testa making it attractive. It sells quickly in the market and housewives like selling it because they do not have to spend a long in the market negotiating with buyers, its price
is also better than that for local varieties. It performs well in medium and high altitude areas of 1200-1600 and 1700-2300masl, giving medium or high yields of 1500-2500 g depending on the management. It has good culinary characteristics; it swells when cooked (thus less is used to feed more people), it makes thick sauce. When cooked in combination with other foods like cassava, banana and maize it gives a deep red color to the food making it appetizing (photo 2). However, it has a hard testa which makes it take long to cook, but, this has an advantage of long storability. It can be intercropped with maize, cassava and banana and still give economic yield.
The maize, cassava and potato mixed with red beans
a. Nyawera
Nyawera is a white skin climbing bean variety. It is also one of the varieties that were developed to increase the productivity of beans within the region. It is biofortified, early maturing; matures within110-130 days after planting. It is high yielding giving 1500-2500 Kg/ha depending on the management. It does well in medium and high altitude areas of 1200-1600m and >1700-2300masl respectively. It can be intercropped with maize, cassava and banana and still give economical yield. It has a good taste, it sells quickly in the market therefore most households grow it for sale. It cooks quickly thus saves fuel. It has a short storability period attributed to its nutritious status and soft testa. As a result it requires value addition for its preservation. Nyawera is commonly it is used in hotels for breakfast and recently it is used in the biscuit industry. It is also used for cultural functions and festivals like marriage ceremonies especially in Burundi.
Nyawera Improved bean variety; high yielding and drought tolerant
b. AND10 (Bishaza)
Bishaza is climbing bean variety. It is referred to as a sugar type with an attractive white speckled redtesta which increases its marketability. It has an early to late maturity period of 115 to 130 days after planting. It performs well in medium and high altitude areas of 1200-1600 and high >1700-2300 m.a.s.l respectively. It is high yielding and gives1500-2500 Kg/ha. It has large seed size. It is tasty and nutritious bean type. It has an attractive white-speckled red soft testa. It is preferred for family
consumption because it swells when cooked, thus less is used per meal. However it has a short storage period requiring value addition to increase the storage period.
Bishaza Gasilida also known as Waraye
c. Gasilida ISAR CB-10-3 also known as Waraye
Gasilida is a bean variety named after a lady farmer from Rwanda. The criteria for its selection were based on its ability to yield highly; giving 4,000 to 5,000 Kg/ha even in farmers’ fields because it is adapted to low soil fertility, has large seeds, its seed coat is dark red colour which makes it very attractive to buyers. It also has a short gestation period; matures within 90 to 96 days after planting, has good culinary attributes. It also has soft leaves which are eaten as green leafy vegetables; both fresh
and dry grains have a good taste and make nice broth. It does not require frying to make it tasty. Unlike other dark coloured beans, when boiled with other staple foods it does not give black colour, but, gives an attractive red colour that is highly preferred in Burundi,and Rwanda.The variety is highly marketable and it can perform well both in the medium and high altitude areas.
d. NABE 12C
Shortly after harvest Testa becomes darker after storage
NABE 12C is a climbing bean variety released by NARO-NaCRRI in 2003; however it is still a desirable variety. It matures within77 to113 days after planting. It is high yielding with a potential of 2500 to 3500Kg/Ha under good management. On average it produces 44 pods per plant with large attractive grain and pods. The grain is oval shaped. It is tasty, swells when cooked, yet does not split and it’s very good for Canning. The seeds are of medium size. It is highly marketable, both as dry and fresh grain. NABE 12C was traditionally grown in high altitude (highlands) areas such as south western and eastern highlands in Uganda, but, it is becoming popular in low altitude areas. In both low and high altitude areas NABE 12C has been promoted for export for the canning industry. It is prone to bean weevil damage a characteristic attributed to the soft testa.
e. Snap bean variety RAB SB - SB-12-1 also known as 1214-2/2
Unlike dry beans where mature grain is eaten fresh or dry, snap beans are eaten as immature bean pods.
Snap bean pods before sorting
Snap bean variety 1214-2/2 was released by Rwanda Agricultural Board in 2012. The variety is a climbing snap bean and it performs well in different ecological locations in the medium and high altitude areas. The breeding of snap climbing bean was a major breakthrough for Rwanda Agricultural Board and the ASARECA funded projects. It is high yielding with fresh pod weight of 15 to 19 tons/ha, has round pods of 12 cm long. The pods have good snapping qualities because they have little fibre, they cook fast and are highly marketable both on regional and export maret. It has large white seeds. It is early maturing, takes only, 70 days to the first harvest. It has a frequency of harvest of 12 times. It is tolerant to Angular leaf spot and Ascochyta blight, and also had good resistance to both Anthracnose and common bean blight. Has good resistance to bean common mosaic virus.
f. Snap bean variety RAB SB - SB-12-2 also known as SB -273
Snap bean variety 273 SB
The snap bean variety SB-273 was released by Rwanda Agricultural Board in 2012. It is a bush snap bean; it performs well in different ecological locations in the high altitude areas. It is high yielding with fresh pod weight of 12 to 14 tons/ha, has round pods of 17 cm l ong. The pods have good snapping quality because they have little fibre, they cook fast and are oily, thus preferred by housewives. are highly marketable both on regional and export market. It has large white seeds. It is adopted to low soil
fertility, is early maturing. It takes only 50 days to give the first harvest. It has a frequency of harvest of 8 times. It is tolerant to Angular leaf spot and Ascochyta blight, and also had good resistance to both Anthracnose and common bean blight. Has good resistance to bean common mosaic virus.
g. Snap bean variety RAB SB - SB-10-3 also known as TA RROT
Tarrot was released by Rwanda Agricultural Board in 2010. The variety is a bush snap bean, it performs well in different ecological locations in the medium and high altitude areas. It is high yielding with fresh pod weight of 5 to 7 tons/ha, has round pods of 12 cm long. The pods are tasty and have good snapping quality because they have little fibre, they cook fast, thus preferred by housewives. It is highly marketable both on regional and export market. It has small mottle seeds. It is adopted to low soil fertility, is early maturing, and takes only, 47 days to the first harvest. It has a frequency of harvest of 8 times. It is tolerant to Angular leaf spot and Ascochyta blight, and also had good resistance to both Anthracnose and common bean blight. Has good resistance to bean common mosaic virus.
h. Snap bean variety SB-10-3 also known as Piramide
Piramide snap bean variety was released by Rwanda Agricultural Board in 2010. The variety is a bush snap bean; it performs well in different ecological locat ions in the medium and high altitude areas. It is high yielding with fresh pod weight of 5 to 7 tons/ha, has round pods of 12 cm long. The pods are tasty and have good snapping quality because they have little fibre, they cook fast, thus preferred by housewives are highly marketable both on regional and export market. It has small mottle seeds. It is
adopted to low soil fertility, is early maturing, and taes only 47 days to the first harvest. It has a frequency of harvest of 8 times. It is tolerant to Angular leaf spot and Ascochyta blight, and also had good resistance to both Anthracnose and common bean blight. Has good resistance to bean common mosaic virus; tolerant to rust, resistant to root rot, high yielding, long and soft pod.
i. Other new bean varieties
Bush, semi-climbers and climbing dry bean varieties were developed and the details are shown in tables 1 to 3 below. Rwanda had a major breakthrough in their breeding programme. They developed several bean varieties and these were released in 2012 by the Rwanda Agricultural Board (RAB) and National Agricultural Research Organization (NARO) between 2010 and 2012. The varieties were developed to address issues of new pests and diseases attacking beans an d also there are issues related to climate change. So, to overcome these challenges, there is need to develop new varieties that are resilient to climate change, more productive, with higher nutritive value; and be able to perform in marginal soils.
Table 1: Bush bean varieties released by Rwanda Agricultural Board (RAB) in 2010 and 2012
Variety | RWK 10 | RWR 1180 | RWR 1668 | RWR 2245 |
Yield (Kg/ha) | 1500 | 2000 | 5000–7000 | 5000–7000 |
Cooking time | Fast | Fast | Fast | Fast |
Quality | Good | Good | Good | Good |
Type | Bush | Bush | Bush | Bush |
Days to maturity | 75 | 75 | 78 | 87 |
Seed colour | Cream + purple sugar | Red mottled | Red | Red mottled |
Altitude | Low–medium | Low–medium | Low–medium | Low–medium |
Angular leaf spot | Tolerant | Tolerant | Tolerant | Tolerant |
Ascochyta blight | Tolerant | Tolerant | Tolerant | Tolerant |
Anthracnose | Good resistance | Good resistance | Good resistance | Good resistance |
Common Bean Mosaic Virus |
Good resistance | Good resistance | Good resistance | Good resistance |
Other characteristics |
Highly marketable, cooks fast, large seed, good resistance to rust, swells during cooking | Highly marketable, cooks fast, large seed, good resistance to rust, swells during cooking, adapted to low soil fertility | Long, soft and delicious pods, good broth colour |
Tolerant to rust, resistant to root rot, long and soft pod, good broth colour, high iron content |
All the bush bean varieties released by RAB cook fast, are tolerant to Angular leaf spot and Ascochyta blight, also have good resistance to both Anthracnose and common bean blight disease |
Table 2: Climbing bean varieties released by National Agricultural Research Organization (NARO) in 2010 and 2012
Variety | NABE 26C | NABE 29C |
Days to maturity | 77 – 113 | 78 - 120 |
Seed shape | Cuboid | Oval |
Testa/seed colour. | Dark red mottled, but with a dull appearance |
Red |
100 seed mass (gm) | 36.87 | 36.42 |
Marketability | Seed is marketable | Seed is marketable |
Cooking qualities | Red soup/dark brown soup on cooking, swells on cooking, tasty |
Dark red soup on cooking, Swells on cooking, very tasty (even without salt), cooked grain does not split, cooked grain is soft to eat, testa is soft after cooking |
Angular leaf spot | Tolerant | Tolerant |
Anthracnose | Tolerant | Tolerant |
Root rot | Tolerant | Tolerant |
Altitude | Mid and high altitude areas | Mid and high altitude areas |
Other attributes | Early maturing | Has a very attractive oval shaped red seed The pod is similar to that of NABE 12C but slightly shorter |
Table 3: Climbing bean varieties released by Rwanda Agricultural Board (RAB) 2010 and 2012
Variety | RWV 3006 | RWV 3316 | RWV 3317 | MAC 42 | RWV 2887 | MAC 28 | RWV 1348 |
Yield (Kg/Ha) | 3800 | 4000 | 4000 | 3500–4000 | 3800 | 3500–4000 | 3800 |
Days to maturity | 110 | 115 | 110 | 81 | 106 | 93 | 110 |
Seed size | Large | Large | 110 | Large | Large | Large | Small |
Testa colour | White | Red | White + Red/ sugar | Cream + Red/ sugar | Red | Red, mottled | Pink |
Altitude | Medium– High | High | High | Low– Medium | High | Low– Medium | Medium– High |
Other characteristics |
Highly demanded in urban markets, especially in hotels |
Highly appreciated by farmers, high in iron content |
Highly appreciated by farmers, soft leaves eaten as vegetable |
Highly appreciated by farmers, soft leaves eaten as vegetables, high iron content |
Highly appreciated by farmers, soft leaves eaten as vegetable |
Attractive broth color |
Pods and leaves eaten as vegetabl |
Table 3 Contd: Climbing bean varieties released by Rwanda Agricultural Board 2010 and 2012
Variety | RWV 2269 | RWV 2361 | RWV 2872 | RWV 2070 | MAC 9 | MAC 44 |
Yield (Kg/Ha) | 4000 | 3800 | 4200 | 3000–4000 | 3000 | 3500 |
Days to maturity | 106 | 108 | 96–108 | 90–120 | 83 | 87 |
Seed size | Medium | Medium | Large | Large | Large | Large |
Testa colour | Yellow | White + Red/ sugar | White + Red/ sugar | Khaki | Red, mottled | Red, mottled |
Altitude | Medium– High | High | Medium– High | Medium– High | Low– Medium | Low– Medium |
Other characteristics |
None | Highly appreciated by farmers |
Highly appreciated by farmers |
Tolerant to poor soils, has big biomass |
Highly appreciated by farmers |
Highly appreciated by farmers |
Due to fast growth, soft leaves eaten as vegetable, high iron content. |
Due to tolerance to heavy rainfall, attractive, broth colour |
Tolerant to drought and good broth |
Tolerant to low soil fertility, high iron content, good broth colour |
Assessment/reflection on utilization, dissemination & scaling out or up approaches used
The project “Utilization of Bean Innovations for Food Security and Improved Livelihoods in Eastern and Central Africa” was specifically for scaling-up the TIMPs developed by both “Intensification of Climbing Beans Systems” and “Enhancing Competitiveness of Snap Beans for Domestic and Export Markets” projects. The ASARECA projects predominantly focused on the involvement of youth and women in agricultural activities and they were the primary target group. The intermediary beneficiaries were individual farmers, farmer groups or associations or cooperatives, local traders, the Local Government (LG) extension agents, churches, NGOs, input suppliers, private seed producers,
research institutes and universities. FAO studies confirm that women are the backbone of rural economy in developing countries and are responsible for 60-80% of food production. They also tend to be the most nowledgeable about crop varieties. The pro ject carried out various activities including strengthening the capacity of beneficiaries. Some of the approaches used in scaling up of the crop variety technology above included setting up Farmer Field Schools (FFS), demonstrations
plots and on-farm trials, organizing farmers’ open field days, and exchange visits. They also used formal training of trainers (ToTs), development of audi o and audio-visual materials like documentaries, fact sheets and other printed media, , plus broadcasting media like television and radio. Over 2000 households in Rwanda, Burundi, DRC and Uganda are already involved in its production, consumption and marketing, it’s scaling up process experienced a few challenges. The
farmers’ expectations were very high; there was severe shortage of seeds. The rural farmers could not easily access or afford available seeds because the packaging and pricing. The seed was very expensive and the packaging too big for smallholder production. Also, most of the time, seed delivery was late. The existing seed companies were not interested in multiplying climbing beans because of the additional costs associated with woody staking materials. On the other hand
government/research is unable to produce sufficient planting materials.
As a means of addressing the challenges listed above and also ensuring wider dissemination of the technology in the near future, the following were suggested as intervention measures:
- Encourage private sector participation;
- Use cheaper alternative stakes promoted by the projects;
- Use Farmer Field Schools to train growers in quality seed production; and,
- Form Innovation Platforms for Technology Adoption (IPTAs) on seed production and group marketing.
Challenges encountered during scaling up
- The farmers’ expectations were very high and it was not possible to meet the demand for improved bean seed.
- There were changes in climate. Both drought and floods resulted in lower yields and poor quality harvest.
- There is an increasing demand for fresh beans; farmers cannot resist selling their beans before they dry and ending up experiencing seed shortage the next seasons thus tilting the production and demand of bean seed.
- The improved bean varieties are highly nutritious; the grains have soft testa and are thus prone to weevil damage. Poor post-harvest handling of seed by farmers, leads to loss of valuable planting materials.
- Limited extension personnel, led to insufficient sensitization; on the importance of using good quality seed for increased productivity. Also there was insufficient market information leading to partners not obtaining seed at the time it was requi red. On the other hand seed ended up in local markets sold as grain; due to lack of price differenti ation (innovation platforms offer a solution buy linking buyers and sellers).
- Limited consumption methods led to low utilization of beans to improve nutrition, food and income security. Therefore there is need to facilitate stakeholders/farmers to start small cottage industries to roll out the development of bean based products. This is currently a challenge in terms of equipment, premises and nowing consumer preferences and meeting them. It requires raising awareness on the availability of bean based food baskets so as to attract a sustainable market and investments in the production.
Lessons learnt
Leveraging, collaborations and synergies from donor, government and national partners funding was essential in accomplishing the major project activities in the absence of project funds other projects and partners can facilitate and lead to achievement of broader objectives. In Uganda for example, one project supported the production of seed while the other supported the acquisition of seed.
Good weather is ideal and conducive for good yields. It is very important to diversify bean seed multiplication activities in different agro ecological zones to minimize losses.
Successful innovative platforms require a clear understanding and sharing of roles and responsibilities at the initial stage of development. It also requires significant funding and lobbying, therefore selection of participants has to be done carefully.
Targeted communication- It is important to understand the target audience and to establish effective communication strategies or guidelines. To facilitate moni toring and evaluation of upscaling activities and communicating vital information using appropriate knowledge products.
Promotional materials – Promotion using easy to understand and diverse materials, is important for wider comprehension and adoption of technologies in question.
Regular TOTs with TORs– It is important to train more ToTs for wider information dissemination and also provide them with terms of reference as they disseminate the information to others.
Seed dispersal mechanisms – There is need to craft innovative approaches to ensure more seed is used seed not grain and with wider coverage. Giving a premium price can improve this e.g. in DRC the price of bean seed was 15% higher than the grain. More high quality seed was sold.
Need for result based M & E with clear or specified data requirements- When conducting M&E clear checklists and guiding instruments and collection methods/M&E methods are necessary for consistency.
Gender Awareness- It is important to understand what issues and they affect men, women, youth, children, PWDs etc. and how they can be solved.
Community bean seed producers have the capacity and potential to supply affordable yet good quality seed of improved bean varieties and can thus bridge the gap where the formal seed sector is nonexistent.
Bean based products and recipes were very much liked and highly appreciated for the commercial opportunities they can offer to the stakeholders and thus need to be vigorously promoted and commercialized for wider usage.
Current situation and future scaling up
The ASARECA projects were regional and the countries shared the generated TIMPs. The smallest area where the technology was tested was 30 cm2 . Two plots of this size were required to facilitate rotation of maize and beans per season. Therefore even the poorest farmer could use this technology because they needed 60cm2 per season. Adoption of the technology does not lead to movement of people or destruction of the environment. The current policy and marketing conditions allow free movement of the technology
from one country to another. The cross-border scaling up already exists in most of the eastern and central Africa countries. Therefore, there is no condition that will hinder cross-border scaling up of the improved bean varieties and the associated innovations and management practices.
Currently, the producers, traders and consumers have begun accessing high yielding, drought tolerant, nutritious and marketable bean varieties. However, changing climatic conditions especially related to erratic unevenly distributed rains are seriously affecting seed production in the region. Future scaling up is envisaged to happen due to linkages that have been established among the value chain actors through innovation platforms. The innovation platforms have been strengthened and have begun to facilitate the uptake and utilization of different bean varieties. Also policy makers and development partners have become more aware about the potential of beans as a food security and economic crop, and this is beginning to attract commitment of more resources. All the observed positive impacts are expected to
continue especially after the bean innovative platforms are firmly rooted and functional.
Economic Considerations
Some economic opportunities have been identified which include: farmers involved in internal lending and saving which facilitates linkages, some farmer groups attained good marketing skills and commitment to group marketing, existence of market firms that are willing to engage farmers and increase their presence in the value chain, some groups demonstrated capacity to source for funding and a growing market for bean seed on improved varieties. Private seed producers, farmers’ organizations representatives who were
trained in marketing, business plan development were excited to know how to develop bean business plan and identify appropriate bean market. They planned to set up their bean business with climbing bean varieties, which according to them they seem to be more economically profitable than bush type.
An economic analysis was done to determine the profitability of the potential climbing bean systems. The choice of the climbing bean production system was motivated by the system performance with regard to derived yield and economic return as illustrated in table below.
Table 4: Range of yield and economic return of different climbing bean systems in Rwanda
Climbing bean based cropping systems | Yield (kg/ha) | Max economic returns (Rwf) |
1. Climbing bean with cords stakes | 780-3,500 | 607,407 |
2. Climbing bean with wood stakes | 1013-3,467 | 828,278 |
3. Climbing bean with maize | 367-2,100 | 1,293,056 |
Key facts about production of climbing beans
- Farmers on average use 5354 stakes/acre.
- Seed costs range from 3000–4000 USh/acre.
- Stakes can be used for a period of 4 seasons (2 years).
- Unit cost of a stake was 120 USh.
- Cost of stakes placement is 46,400 USh/acre
- Stakes are about 2.5 m in height.
- The major source of the stakes is local markets and farmers ‘own woodlots
- Yield of local varieties is 285.4–628.82 Kg/acre but improved varieties yield 3 to 5 times more.
- Average production cost is about 755,000 USh/acre.
- Whenthefarmersuseintercropstheyonlyspendontheseedforthetwocropsandthiscuts the cost of production tremendously.
Table 5: Economic evaluation of bean stakes utilization in Uganda
High land ranges |
North eastern/ western savannah grasslands |
Lake Victoria crescent | Western savannah grasslands |
South western farmlands |
|
Production costs (Low input) (Ush) |
775,000 | 306,000 | 531,500 | 461,500 | 436,500 |
Average yields (Kg) |
628.81 | 285.4 | 314.19 | 412.25 | 412.86 |
Average market prices (Ush) |
1450 | 1300 | 1650 | 1500 | 1400 |
Gross income (Ush) |
911,775 | 371,020 | 518,413 | 618,375 | 578,004 |
Net Income | 136,775 | 65,020 | (13,087) | 156,875 | 141,504 |
Gender considerations
Previously, beans were considered to be a food crop and a women’s crop. Women carried out all the agricultural activities (digging, sowing, weeding, harvesting, winnowing, and transporting the produce from the farm). The planting was haphazard and beans would be sown by scattering, in most cases they were also intercropped with several other food crops in unsystematic manner. The introduction of the technology Twungurumuryango / Makutsa 2 has helped family members to work together. Both the monocropping and intercropping the variety have a number of activities that are systematically organized and inclusive. As a result, all the family members can play a role in the utilization of the technology. As the variety gets commercialized, it will contribute to agriculture transformation, increase income generation for the households and lead to women and youth empowerment in food delivery, nutrition and income security.
Men, youth and women participate in Young men are producers of beans Young men and women drinking bean porridge
making bean-based products
Application guidelines for the users
Application of the bean TIMPS focus on agronomic practices which include:
- Land preparation: This involves deep ploughing and field leveling at least 2–3 weeks before the onset of the season rains.
- Fertilizer application: Apply DAP at 50Kg/ha o r les s and 20–30 tons/ha of well decomposed farm yard manure or less, within the planting rows at the time of planting. Farmers used different combinations of DAP and manure based on what they could afford.
- Spacing: Use a recommended spacingof5 0cm between rows and10cm (bush beans) or 20 cm (climbing beans) between plants.
- Sowing: When sowing plant at least 1healthy seed (bush/erect beans) or 2 healthy seeds (climbing beans) per recommended planting distance.
- First weeding: First weeding should be carried out 2-3 weeks after planting.
- Earthing up: Earthing up should be done during weeding.
- Staking: Climbing beans require staking. Use at least 1 stake per 4 plants for woody stakes (crossed or straight) and 4 plants per string where woody frames and strings are used or
Crossed woody stakes Plant bark string stakes Sisal string stakes
Straight woody stakes Banana fibre stakes
4 plants per live plant where cassava, banana and maize are used as live stakes (see below).
Climbing beans intercropped with maize Climbing bean intercropped with banana
- The frame is constructed by placing bigger poles between two or more rows at 3m apart and joining them with smaller poles to facilitate the climbing process. Nails or strings can be used to hold the frame together depending on what the farmer can afford. The distance between beans and the live stake is 25cm.
- Second weeding: This should be done before maturity.
Key Issues
- Need to keep farm records on all activities carried out and the expenses involved.
- Sort the planting material, do not mix varieties and select only good quality seed
The Burundian farmer cleaning her Good quality seed Unsorted bean grain used by farmers as seed
seed
- Dig deeply to improve soil aeration
- Level the garden to avoid erosion and water logging.
- Use of soil amendments- apply both organic and inorganic fertilizers in the furrows and within reach of crops (type of fertilizers used depends on the type of market)
- Plant early in the season to avoid on set of pests and diseases and effects of un favourable weather.
Beans damaged by excessive rains
- Plant 2 seeds per planting distance for semi-climbers and climbing beans and 1 seed for erect or bush bean varieties.
- Carry out timely weeding, weed at least twice per season (two weeks after emergence and before flowering). Create small mounds around the plants to increase the feeding area and to preserve soil moisture.
- Use of alternative staking methods to avoid environment degradation through deforestation.
- Use integrated pest and disease management methods to avoid accumulation of pests and pest damage leading to pod and seed deterioration
- Only harvest mature dry pods. Harvest when the dew has dried from the plants but the sun is not hot to avoid pod shattering.
- Use appropriate storage methods- clean bags and air tight storage bins
- Keep farm records to calculate cost benefit analysis.
Live stakes innovations
Under the live crop stakes innovation, instead of the farmers planting the intercrops at the same time with the climbing beans like they previously used to do, they were advised to first plant the intercrops and then the climbing beans later. The project demonstrated that even in very small plots of 30 m2 or more, planting the maize two weeks and cassava and banana one year bef ore planting the climbing beans makes it possible for the two intercrops to grow to maturity as long as a recommended spacing is observed for the different intercropping components. In case of maize, the project recommended a spacing of 75 cm but some farmers preferred to use 100 cm and 25cm within rows and planting two seeds per hole.
Meanwhile, in cassava and banana the between and within row spacing of 1–1.5m (depending on the soil fertility) was recommended. The project also recommended a bean row spacing of 25cm away from the row of the other intercrop and 50cm between the bean rows plus a within-row spacing of 20cm. It is crucial that sufficient space be provided for the beans such that; the bean row spaced at 25 cm away from the maize row and 50 cm from another bean row. Spacing the beans at more than 25cm makes it difficult for them to climb the intercrop (maize or cassava or banana) and thus the intercrop fails to offer the necessary support. Each row of the intercrop supports the two rows of beans (the upper and lower row).The garden starts with a row of beans, then the intercrop, then two rows of beans and the row of the intercrop and the sequence continues and ends with a row of beans next to the intercrop.
Contact details
The TIMPs were achieved under 3 ASARECA managers; namely:
1. Dr. Mwamburi Mcharo 2009-April 2012
2. Dr. Fina Opio May 2012 – February 2013
3. Dr. Kenneth Masuki March 2013
Supported by a programme assistant: Ms. Maureen Katafiire
Scientists from NARIs, University and Private sector include:
Michael A. Ugen (Ph.D);
Senior Principal Research Officer (SPRO); Cropping System Agronomist/Seed System Specialist
Legumes Research and Development Program; National Agricultural Research Organization (NARO)
National Crops Resources Research Institute (NaCRRI)
P.O. Box 7084 Kampala, Uganda
Mobile Phone: +256-772-446-739/+256-712-446-739/+256-756-446739
E-mail: michaelugen@yahoo.com; michaelugen@gmail.com
Paul Aseete;
Socio/Agricultural Economist; National Bean Programme
National Crops Resources Research Institute (NaCRRI)
P.O Box 7084 Kampala, Uganda
Mobile:+256-78(5) 2 064571 or +256-703937028
Email: paseete@gmail.com
Michael Hilary Otim;
ASARECA TIMPS-Revised Nov 2014 Page 22
Research Officer; National Crops Resources Research Institute (NaCRRI)-Namulonge,
P.O. Box 7084; Kampala – Uganda
Tel. No.: +256-414573016
Mobile: +256-772897040
Email: motim9405@gmail.com
Stanley Nkalubo;
Research Officer; National Crops Resources Research Institute (NaCRRI) - Namulonge,
P.O. Box 7084; Kampala – Uganda
Tel. No.: +256-414573016
Email: tamusange@gmail.com
Pamela Paparu;
Research Officer, National Crops Resources Research Institute (NaCRRI) - Namulonge,
P. O. Box 7084; Kampala – Uganda
Tel. No.: +256-414573016
Email: bomella@yahoo.co.uk
Hedwig Natabirwa;
Food Biosciences & Agribusiness Research Program
National Agricultural Research Laboratories (NARL -NARO)
P.O. Box 7852, Kampala - Uganda
Mobile : +256-772-609682
Augustine Musoni;
Bean Research Program; Rubona Research Station
P.O. Box 138, Huye
Tel: +250 (0) 788747932
Email: afmusoni@yahoo.com or afmusoni2@yahoo.com
JosianeNyiramugisha;
Assistant Researcher; Rwanda Agricultural Board (RAB); Nyagatare
Mobile: +250-788-252328
Email: anemugisha@yahoo.com; anemugisha@gmail.com
Dunstan Kaburu Mishek
Principal Agricultural Officer; Ministry of Agriculture (MOA); Meru County
P. O. Box 1705
Meru, 60100 - Kenya
Mobile: +254-721-271046
Email: dankaburu@gmail.com
Dr. Gertrude Night
Researcher; Rwanda Agricultural Board (RAB)
Rubona Station, Huye District, Southern Province
P. O. Box 138; Huye – Rwanda
Email: gmn27@yahoo.com
Jean BoscoShingiro
Researcher; Rwanda Agricultural Board (RAB)
Rubona Station, Huye District, Southern Province
P. O. Box 138 ; Huye – Rwanda
Mobile: +250-788-865789
Email: bshingiro2000@yahoo.fr
George Ndiema Chemining’wa
Senior Lecturer; Department of Plant Science & Crop Protection; University of Nairobi
Upper Kabete Campus, (CAVS)
P. O. Box 29053-00625; Nairobi – Kenya
Tel. No.: +254-20-2055129
Mobile: +254-721-723806
Email: umchemin@hotmail.com; george.cheminingwa@uonbi.ac.ke
John H. Nderitu
Agricultural Entomologist
Mount Kenya University
P. O. Box 342-00100
Thika – Kenya
Mobile: +254-722-308581
Fax No.: +254-20-2050315
Email: h.nderitu@mku.ac.ke; huria@uonbi.ac.ke
Cecilia M. Onyango
Lecturer;
Plant Science & Crop Protection Department; University of Nairobi
Upper Kabete Campus, (CAVS)
P. O. Box 29053-00625
Nairobi – Kenya
Tel. No.: +254-20-2055129
Mobile: +254-715-606563
Email: cecilia.onyango@uonbi.ac.ke; cmoraa8@yahoo.com
Simon Slumpa
Principal Agricultural Research Officer 1
ASARECA TIMPS-Revised Nov 2014 Page 24
Selian Agricultural Research Institute (SARI)
Dodoma Road – Near Arusha Airport
P. O. Box 6024
Arusha – Tanzania
Tel. No.: +255-736-500538; +255-736-500580
Mobile: +255-653-057459
Fax No.: +255-736-500538
Email: SSlumpa@gmail.com
Paul Kimani
Professor
University of Nairobi
Department of Plant Science & Crop Protection
Upper Kabete Campus, (CAVS)
P. O. Box 29053-00625
Nairobi – Kenya
Tel. No.: +254-20-2048561
Mobile: +254-724-511585
Email: pmkimani@uonbi.ac.ke; imani@nbnet.co.ke
Eunice Zakayo
Principal Agricultural Research Officer (Social Economist)
Selian Agricultural Research Institute (SARI)
Dodoma Road – Near Arusha Airport
P. O. Box 6024
Arusha – Tanzania
Tel. No.: +255-736-500538; +255-736-500580
Mobile: +255-752-725110
Fax No.: +255-736-500538
Email: eunicereuben@yahoo.com
Sosthenes O. Kweka
Principal Agricultural Research Officer (PARO); Selian Agricultural Research Institute (SARI)
Dodoma Road – Near Arusha Airport
P. O. Box 6024; Arusha – Tanzania
Tel. No.: +255-736-500538; +255-736-500580
Mobile: +255-788-831444; +255-755-248480
Fax No.: +255-736-500538
Email: msami652@yahoo.co.uk
Nepomuscene Ntukamazina
Scientist,
ASARECA TIMPS-Revised Nov 2014 Page 25
Institut des Sciences Agronomiques du Burundi
(ISABU) ; BP 795, Bujumbura, Burundi
Email: ndabanepo@gmail.com
Sylvestre Ntibashirwa
Institut des SciencesAgronomiques du Burundi (ISABU)
BP795, Bujumbura, Burundi
Tel: +257 7751728
Email: ntirabampa2000@yahoo.fr
Vicky Ruganzu
Lead Scientist, RwandaAgricultural Board (RAB)
Tel: +250 788562938
Email: rugavicky@yahoo.fr
Nabahungu N. Léon;
Rwanda Agricultural Board (RAB) Head Quarter Offices
Tel: +250788422514
Email: leon.nabahungu@rab.gov.rw
Uwumukiza Beatrice
D.G. Inspectorate
Services and Certification
+250788848410, buwumukiza@gmail.com
Captoline Ruraduma
Scientist, Institut des Sciences Agronomiques du
Burundi (ISABU)
BP 795, Bujumbura, Burundi
Email:capruraduma@yahoo.fr
Elukessu Komba
Scientist,Institutdes Nationaldes Etudeset dela RechercheAgronomique(INERA/Mulungu)
Tel: +243 81038081
Email:elukessu@yahoo.com
Jean Albert Mbikayi
Institut National Four L'etude et la Recherche Agronom iques ( INERA )
13, Avenue des Cliniques, Kin-Gombe.
P.O. Box 2037 Kinshasa / Gombe,
Mobile Phone: +243 81 31 78 790 / +243 99 41 84 842
E-mail:mbikayijeanalbert@yahoo.fr; mbikayi.ja@gmail.com
Skype: nkombikayi
Additional information
In order to realize its full production potential of improved bean varieties and to sustainably improve bean yields, the productivity of land and labour have to increase, while safeguarding the natural resources through efficient and sustainable management. The varieties were used in combination with other innovations and management practices. Different packages were developed and stakeholders selected what was suitable for their conditions in term s of availability of funds, land, labour and local staking materials. The innovations included staking options. The productivity of land was increased by employing climate smart agronomic practices like improving sowing method, use of high quality seed, right soil tilth, use of organic and inorganic fertilizers, soil water management, manipulating planting dates, using more plants per stake, reducing pre- and post-harvest losses using integrated pest and disease management. Productivity of labour was increased by providing farmers with greater access to a wide range of locally available staking materials, time saving staking options and improved production security-drought and disease tolerant varieties.
Some of the staking options used included use of fewer wooden stakes alone (straight or crossed) or fewer woody stakes-frame and strings (sisal or banana), and banana fibres were used. Farmers were able to identify and utilize locally available materials. In cases where farmers faced severe land shortage, the variety was intercropped with maize, banana, and cassava. Under suitable conditions, the variety yields thrice to five times more than the improved bush type and local varieties per unit area.