Advances in bean cultivation

Three African countries are benefiting from the support that the International Centre for Agricultural Research in Dry Areas (ICARDA) is giving for the development of bean cultivation. In Egypt and the Sudan, the introduction of new varieties linked to techniques for manuring, irrigation, insect and weed control has resulted in considerable increases in production (up to 276 % more in test trials in the Sudan). Ethiopia has started pilot projects to test local varieties and develop new ones. For these countries, beans are a very important basic food and their residues can be used to feed livestock. Like all leguminous plants, beans also contribute to soil improvement through nitrogen fixation which is especially valuable in these countries which lack cheap supplies of fertilizer. For further information contact: ICARDA P.O BOX 5466 Aleppo SYRIAThree African countries are benefiting from the support that the International Centre for Agricultural Research in Dry Areas (ICARDA) is giving for the development of bean cultivation. In Egypt and the Sudan, the introduction of new varieties linked..