Bean bonus

Farmers in south-eastern Uganda are being encouraged to grow new varieties of beans that have been developed by the Eastern and Central Africa Bean Research Network and the Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical (CIAT). Many of the beneficiaries are women who have adopted varieties such as the one known locally as Namungawo (meaning 'very good tasting'). This looks like local varieties but the grains are heavier and it is disease-resistant. These beans command a higher price in the market and therefore farmers would naturally tend to, want to grow them in preference to, others. However, growers are encouraged to grow a wide variety to avoid narrowing the range of genetic diversity in the fields which could lead to the bean trop becoming more vulnerable to diseases and other problems. Cross-breeding, selection and evaluation are carried out by researchers with farmers giving valuable feedback on the traits that are important to them. The result is that some bean growers will grow varieties that fetch the best market prices in one plot whilst growing a wider range of varieties for home consumption on others. CIAT AA 6713 Cali, COLOMBIAFarmers in south-eastern Uganda are being encouraged to grow new varieties of beans that have been developed by the Eastern and Central Africa Bean Research Network and the Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical (CIAT). Many of the..