The document outlines the launch of the Bio-Innovate Program aimed at enhancing food security and nutrition through value-added bean technologies in Eastern Africa, addressing challenges posed by climate change. Key goals include developing drought-tolerant bean varieties, improving agricultural practices, and strengthening the bean value chain. The project emphasizes collaboration among various institutions to increase bean productivity and provide vital support to one million farmers in the region.

1. Value Added Bean Technologies for enhancing Food Security, Nutrition, Income and Resilience to cope with Climate Change and Variability Challenges in Eastern Africa Presented at Official Launch of the Bio-Innovate Program 16 th March 2011 ILRI Campus, Nairobi Kenya By: David Karanja on behalf of the Bean consortium

2. Introduction Common bean ( Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is a major staple food Bean is a near-perfect food and the “meat” of the poor (proteins, vitamins, zinc, iron) Beans is a major source of income for farmers especially women Productivity constrained by moisture and heat stress, declining, soil fertility, poor crop mgt practices, limited access to quality seeds and markets

3. Justification Climate change & variability is a complex challenge Climate change associated mostly with drought 60% of beans cultivated under risk of intermittent or terminal drought To cope need – drought/pest and disease tolerant varieties with effective agronomic practices Effective dissemination pathways

4. Implementing Institutions Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (KARI) – Lead Institution Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research (EIAR) - Ethiopia Institut des Sciences Agronomiques du Burundi (ISABU) - Burundi Selian Agricultural Research Institute (SARI) - Tanzania

5. Implementing Institutions cont ’ Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research (EIAR) Institut des Sciences Agronomiques du Rwanda (ISAR) - Rwanda University of Nairobi (UoN – Kenya) Sokoine University of Agriculture- TZ Trufoods Ltd – Industrial Processing Pan African Bean Research Network – (PABRA) through ECABREN

6. Project goal Contribute to improved food and nutritional security and incomes through increased bean productivity, value addition and marketing while conserving the environment

7. Objectives Select canning bean varieties that meet the requirement of processing industry, Determine the effects of soil fertility, water harvesting technologies and cropping patterns on the levels of Fe and Zn concentration in market preferred bean varieties,

8. Objectives cont’ 3. Disseminate drought tolerant varieties and complementary agronomic management technologies in drought-prone environments, and 4. Strengthen capacities and linkages among the actors along the bean value chain.

9. Methodology and description of project activities Output 1 : Canning bean varieties that meet the requirements of processing industry developed Evaluate existing & new bean populations for canning qualities Good canning quality beans and combine with drought and disease tolerance Participatory selection, AYT and NPT – release of varieties Industrial processing

10. Output 2 Effects of soil fertility, water harvesting technologies and cropping patterns on the levels of Fe and Zn concentration in market preferred bean varieties determined Determine influence of inorganic macro and micro-nutrients on leaf and grain mineral concentration Water harvesting techniques, soil types and organic amendments on iron & zinc

11. Output 3 Drought tolerant varieties and complementary agronomic management technologies disseminated in drought-prone and medium potential environments Produce breeder seed, basic and quality declared seed (drought tolerant varieties) Create awareness on drought tolerant varieties and management practises Enhance skills of actors Use various dissemination pathways

12. Output 4 Capacities and linkages among the actors along the bean value chain strengthened Training of trainers for seed producers and technologists Improve skills of actors along the value chain Develop an information exchange platform that will also influence policy changes Improve physical infrastructure

13. Conclusion Synergies among the partners and countries enhanced Need for adaption and testing of technologies as per country conditions Use the linkages through PABRA to enhance monitoring and evaluation, marketing, seed systems and information exchange for wider reach among the PABRA countries

14. 1 million Farmer’s in the four countries require technologies that are useful and can change their lives.

15. 1 million Farmer’s in the four countries require technologies that are useful and can change their lives.