Addressing bean Producers problems in the Northern Highlands of Rwanda

Abstract

Field bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) is a major component in the Rwandan diet, providing 25 percent of total calories and up to 45 percent of protein intake. In Rwanda, bean occupies about 25 percent of the harvested area. Despite its importance, the yield of bean has decreased over the years primarily because of declining soil fertility and its expansion to more marginal land. The present estimated yield is about 800 kg/ha. In an effort to help bean producers increase their production, a series of research efforts were undertaken between 1986-1988. These include: selection of local cultivars; selection of lines from introductions from the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) and Agronomic Research Intitute of Rwanda (ISAR) for adaptability and farmer acceptability; seed treatment; sorghum-climbing bean intercropping; and farmer-based low input seed multiplication systems. Based on the results of these studies, four climbing bean cultivars are now recommended to farmers of this area. Wide distribution and adoption of them will help to narrow the gap between Rwanda's dry bean production and consumption. This paper describes the highlights of the bean variety trials nsoil fertility and its expansion to more marginal land. The present estimate yield is about 800 kg/h