Disseminate Micronutrient rich Bean Technologies along bean corridors in Kenya
Common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is the world’s most important legume for human consumption (Katungi et al., 2010). In Kenya, the consumption and contribution of common beans to human nutrition is relatively high with the per capita consumption estimated at 14 kg per year, but can be as high as 66 kg/year in western parts of the country (Katungi et al., 2010; Spilsbury et al., 2004; Buruchara, 2007).
In ASAL APRP, through on-station and on-farm participatory varietal selection, 1 high yielding drought-tolerant bean variety and 3 high yielding micronutrient rich beans for medium and high potential areas were officially released for production. However, these newly released varieties have not been integrated into farming and production systems to enable the farmers and traders benefit from them. In addition, production and dissemination of new varieties takes a longer period to be adopted by farmers unless pro-active innovative methodologies are employed (Kumlachew, 2015). Moreover, the private sector players require the bean grain produced in sufficient quantities and quality. This is achievable through organized production and marketing and enhancing consumption of micronutrient rich beans as pull to production by small holder farmers.
Production of quality grain of beans in adequate volumes has been a challenge. This has partly been contributed by farmers not organized into efficient production and marketing entities that are operating in a competitive business environment. These farmers are not organized regionally (bean corridors) for producing tradable volumes. Bean producers have also not been exposed to the new high yielding micronutrient rich bean varieties. In addition, sustaining the farmer groups have been a challenge. Beans are grown mainly by women yet access and control of income is dominated by men. There are minimal opportunities to attract the youth in agricultural production. Limited information and weak linkages among beans value chain actors has led to low quality and inadequate production of beans (Chemining’wa et al., 2014).Focal sub-activities include:
- Production of dissemination materials
- Promote farmer access to and use of production inputs
- Quality seed production for the released varieties
- Enhance input availability and use in the value chain
- Capacity building on production, management, postharvest management
- Organization of growers into farmer Common Interest Groups (CIGs)
- Capacity building on collective marketing
- Linkage of farmers to markets
- Dissemination of technologies through on-farm trials, demonstrations and field days
- Establishment and operationalization of innovation platforms in value chain
- Enhancement of value addition and job creation in the product value chain
- Promotion of farmer to farmer learning exchange tours
Manuals
- Beans Manuals
Factsheets
- Beans Factsheets
Video Clips
- Beans Video Clips
Varieties
Bush Beans (Phaseolus Vulgaris L.)]
Variety Name |
Release Name |
Owner(s) Licensee |
Maintainer and Source |
Areas for Optimal Production |
Maturity Duration |
Yield (T/Ha) |
Special Attributes |
KAD 02 |
Nyota |
KALRO |
KALRO Katumani |
900-1800 MASL |
65-70 days |
1.4-2.2 |
Drought tolerant, Early maturing, Micronutrient rich bean, high grain iron content (>95ppm), high zinc grain content (>39ppm) with low phytic acid 1.25mg/g, Cook fast, Good pod clearance |
KMR 11 |
Angaza |
KALRO |
KALRO Kandara |
1200-1900 MASL |
75-80 days |
1.4-2.5 |
Micronutrient rich with high grain iron content (>97ppm), high zinc grain content (>57ppm), has low phytic acid at 1 mg/g and high sucrose content at 120mg/kg, Cooks fast and has high water absorption capacity when soaked |
KMR 12 |
Metameta |
KALRO |
KALRO Katumani |
1200-1900 MASL |
80-85 days |
1.4-2.3 |
High grain Zinc content (>32ppm), moderate grain iron content (>67ppm), Potassium 2,486ppm and low phytic acid at 1.5mg/g, cooks fast and high water absorption, tolerance to Angular leaf spot (ALS), Common bacterial blight (CBB) and resistance to bean common mosaic virus (BCMV) and other bean diseases |
KMR 13 |
Faida |
KALRO |
KALRO Kandara |
1300-1200 MASL |
80-85 days |
1.4-2.0 |
High grain Zinc content (>56ppm) and low phytic acid at 1.75mg/g, High potassium at 2,746ppm and high manganese at 27.51ppm, tolerance to Angular leaf spot (ALS), Common bacterial blight (CBB) and resistance to bean common mosaic virus (BCMV). |