Enhancing the nutrition and health of small holder farmers through bio fortified bean’s project comes to an end.
For the past five years, from 2019 to 2024, a remarkable project aimed to enhance the nutrition and health of smallholder farmers in East Africa through increased productivity of bio fortified common beans and improved post-harvest handling techniques, had been diligently at work and now concludes its work with great achievements.
Led by a consortium of partners including; The National Agricultural Research Organization (NARO), Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board (RAB), Centro Internacional De Agricultura Tropical (CIAT), Uganda, and Università Politecnica delle Marche (UNIVPM), Italy, the project was implemented in the districts of Arua, Hoima, Kamwenge, Oyam and Sironko. The goal was increased productivity and quality seeds.
An end of project meeting was held on the 19th-20th March, 2024 by the legumes programme in NaCRRI, had all the stakeholders and beneficiaries in attendance with the official opening remarks by Dr Yona Baguma the director General, NARO.
Dr. Yona emphasized the importance of continuity and sustainability to the participants, his words ringing with gratitude and hope. He praised the dedication of all involved and spoke of a future where the lessons learned and bonds forged would continue to bear fruit for generations to come.
The Project Investigator (PI), Dr. Pamela Paparu shared the project’s journey from humble beginnings to remarkable achievements; Baseline Information on Bean Production, Productivity, Post-harvesting handling and Quality of Beans, Capacity building training for 42 Field School Facilitators of these 30 Farmer Group Leaders and 12 Government Agricultural Extension Officers, 42.5% Female were female.
Information materials for training that included a Farmer Field School manual was developed, promoting of good CM practices and agronomy practices through on farm demonstrations, pest and disease management, and soil management practices.
Baseline finding indicated;
- Very few farmers found producing bio fortified beans in Uganda (2.6%), compared to 58.5% Rwanda
- On-farm bean yields are still low (ranging from 497 Kg/Ha in Oyam to 804 Kg/Ha in Hoima)
- Low yields of beans were attributed to; Drought, Pests and diseases, Inaccessibility of inputs (seed, fertilizers, pesticides), lack of and untimely delivery of production information and declining soil fertility
- Only 15.3% of producing households use fertilizers (Foliar, NPK, manure, etc.)
- 48.7% apply chemical pesticides
- Other practices by farmers include; crop rotation, early planting, timely weeding, removal of diseased plants, earthing up and planting on ridges
Poor post-harvest handling of beans, resulting in 14% losses and these were attributed to; Insect infestation, excessive rainfall, poor storage facilities/equipment, and lack of finances.
Statistics on beans in Uganda
- Beans are a staple food and cash crop in Uganda.
- It is grown mainly by women farmers.
- Beans occupy over 12% of the total cultivated area and grown by more than 85% households in Uganda)
- Uganda is the 2nd largest bean producer in East Africa after Tanzania
- About 60-70% of farmers’ produce is sold to both the domestic and regional markets
- In 2022 Uganda earned 111.4 million USD from bean exports (coming fourth after coffee, Gold, Fish and its products and Oil re-exports)
FARMERS SENSITISED ON BETTER METHODS OF POST-HARVEST MANAGEMENT- KAMWENGE
The National Agricultural Research organisation (NARO) has sensitised farmers in Kamwenge district on the better methods of post-harvest management following the recent rampant cases of Uganda’s agricultural products’ denial over afflatoxin’s especially beans to external markets like Kenya, South Sudan and many more.
Dr. Micheal Hillary Otim, a scientist from the National Crops Resources Research Institute (NaCRRI), says the intention to train farmers came after the introduction of new bio-fortified beans’ varieties to the local farmers in districts of Arua, Oyam, Sironko and Hoima that are majorly Narobean 1, 2, 3, which are very highly rich in iron and zinc plus 6 and 7. The beans are also drought tolerant with different looks, sizes and colour depending on the variety.
He says the new bean seed varieties were introduced to farmers in the above districts to boost production and as a research organisation, NARO saw it neccesary to introduce them to farmers with the major purpose of boosting brain development among the elderly, increasing blood formation in the young and pregnant mothers as well as generating wealth to the farmers.
Otim says the new seed varieties needed special attention and care compared to the earlier existing types which attracted their attention to make demonstrations to the farmers as well as teach them new types of bean crop management and practices.
It is important to have information about soil fertility management, pest and disease control like planting in rows (line planting) and spacing and proper use of chemicals and fertilisers to boost the proper growth and post-harvest management of the harvested new varieties for their safety for consumption by consumers and for sale to the markets for two seasons, he said.
Five groups in areas of Kahunge , Busiriba and Kabambiro sub-counties with more than 150 farmers were able to cope with the best management of the new bean seed varieties to keep them longer with in communities, Otim added.
Ninsiima Robina, a farmer from Nyamashegwa Farmers Cooperative Limited in Kabambiro sub-county, says most farmers in the area are still locked on using rudimentary methods of farming which has limited their yield returns per acreage.
She hailed NARO in coordination with the Kamwenge district local government and agricultural extension workers for the successful introduction of the new bean varieties, urging her fellow farmers to use the knowledge acquired to help them increase both their quality and quantity of beans.
Turyasingura Ambrose, District Agricultural Officer in charge of Kabambiro sub-county and Kabuga town council all in Kibale county, Kamwenge district, says that as extensional workers, they have not got any hardships in implementing the new Narobean project from NARO because the farmers identified portions of land for the demonstrations and NARO on top of equipping them with knowledge, they provided them with the necessary requirements like seed varieties and fertilisers needed.
Project Duration Effect
Dr. Pamela Paparu, a scientist from the NaCRRI however, raised concern about the short project durations, saying that often times, this leaves the beneficiaries (the local farmers) with limited time to grasp and become well conversant with the proper farming techniques.
But I call upon farmers not to throw away the books that you have been using to jot down the procedures and all works we have taught you. Also make proper use of the extension workers because we trust them to support you,” Paparu urged.