Nairobi: At least 20,000 bean farmers across five counties are poised to benefit from a training initiative focused on enhancing the cultivation of the high-yielding, drought and disease-resistant ‘Waithera’ bean variety. This training is being facilitated by the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO) in collaboration with the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT).
According to Kenya News Agency, this initiative is supported by the Pan-Africa Bean Research Alliance (PABRA) Program and the Alliance of Biodiversity International. It brings together farmers from Nakuru, Nyeri, Nyandarua, Bomet, and Elgeyo Marakwet counties to promote proper agronomical practices for the ‘Waithera’ bean, which was developed by KALRO. The initiative also includes efforts to secure favorable market prices and link farmers to potential buyers, encouraging them to aggregate their yields through cooperatives.
KALRO’s national coordinator for Grains and Legumes, Dr. David Karanja, emphasized that the ongoing climate change has exacerbated pest and disease issues, affecting bean yields and leading to losses for farmers. The introduction of ‘Waithera’ aims to counter these challenges. The initiative also explores creating a bean value chain, enabling farmers to supply processors who can incorporate bean powder into products like noodles.
Farmers are also being trained on compliance with EU and other export market standards, potentially opening up international markets for their produce. Dr. Karanja highlighted the importance of the ‘Waithera’ bean variety, which matures quickly and is nutrient-rich, taking significantly less time to cook compared to traditional varieties. The beans are capable of producing 6-10, 90 kg bags per acre and mature within 60-70 days, making them a popular choice among farmers.
The initiative, which also targets Laikipia, Kakamega, and Nandi counties, aims to address the country’s bean consumption deficit. Kenya produces an average of 650,000 kilograms of beans against a consumption of 750,000 kilograms, necessitating imports to fill the gap. By promoting ‘Waithera’, KALRO and its partners hope to enhance yields and ensure food security.
Dr. Karanja noted that the ‘Waithera’ bean is suitable for various climates, offering farmers versatility and potential access to international markets. It was developed after extensive testing of 47 bean varieties in Kenya and Uganda, ultimately narrowing down to a select few. The bean is rich in proteins and micronutrients, addressing nutritional deficiencies prevalent in Kenya.
The initiative also emphasizes energy conservation and minimizing deforestation, as ‘Waithera’ beans require less charcoal for cooking. Chief Executive Officer of Cherubet Foods, Ms. Mercy Cherubet, one of the primary buyers of the new seed variety, expressed concern over the country’s low bean consumption. She emphasized that the ease of preparing ‘Waithera’ beans could help increase consumption and facilitate value addition.
Elizabeth Osono, a member of the Ushirikiano Women Group, noted that traditional bean varieties like ‘Mwitemania’ and ‘Wairimu’ are lower-yielding and susceptible to diseases. The adoption of ‘Waithera’ could save farmers significant costs, as it requires fewer seeds per acre and is more resistant to challenges, making farming more lucrative for youth and women groups.
KALRO aims to establish a bean corridor across the country, encouraging farmers with half an acre of land and above to participate. The ‘Waithera’ variety already meets essential micronutrient levels and is expected to help double the country’s bean consumption.
