1. BEAN PRODUCTION
D. P. Singh, Bean Breeder, FAO/UNDP/GRZ Project on Integrated Crop
Management/ Food Legumes, Misamfu Regional research Centre, Post Box No.
410055, Kasama, ZAMBIA
Introduction
Bean is one of the most important legume crops of Zambia and grown mainly
by small scale farmers. Northern Province is the main producer of beans in
Zambia. Bean is a major protein in the food and also an important cash crop
since the market is readily available.
Amongst constraints for bean production, the lack of seed of improved varieties
is major problem besides bean stem maggot, bean foliage beetle and diseases.
The local varieties are in mixer form and not fetching proper prices in market
and take long time in cooking. These are low in yield (> 600 kg/ha).
Environmental requirements
Beans are adapted to a wide range of soil and climatic conditions. It is mainly
grown in region III and II.
Cropping pattern
Beans are cultivated under several systems - as last crop on chitemene fields, as
first crop of fundikila, on permanent fields (ibala) and also intercropped with
maize.
Recommended recent varieties
The best variety available at present is A 197 (Chambeshi). It is a pre released
variety and proposed for release after its testing at on farms. It is dwarf type,
determinate, large seeded, cream seed coloured variety which can yield ranging
from 800-1,000 kg/ha. It is tolerant to major diseases and soil disorders.
The other varieties which have been identified recently and in the process of pre
release are, CAL 143 (Red-white speckled), PAT 10 (Red), PEF 14(Cream)
and ZAV 83013 (Climbing type and can be grown with maize). The average
yield of new varieties is >1,000 kg/ha.
Besides these an old released variety ‘Carioca. is also quite high yielding but
lacks preferred seed and cooking qualities.
Rotation
Bean can be intercropped with maize. Both semi-climbing and climbing bean
varieties are good for intercrop. The dwarf bean may be taken as sole crop in
rotation with maize and millets.

2. Land preparation
Land preparation is same as maize. Ridging may be helpful in high rainfall
areas. The field should be weed free at the time of sowing.
Seed requirements
The seed rate varies from 60-80 kg/ha depending on the seed size. The large
seeded varieties need more seed (Chambesi, CAL 143, PEF 14 ) as compared to
small seeded types (PAT 10, Carioca) .
Planting methods
Bean can be planted more than one time in a year. The rainy season crop
planting period is from November to March. Dry season planting may be taken
in July under damboos and furrow irrigations. It proved quite helpful in seed
increase before sowing of rainy season and fetches higher prices in market as
‘fresh beans’ during off season.
Seed should be sown in the shallow furrows opened with the help of pegs (3-4
cm). The row to row spacing may be kept 60 cm.
The optimum spacing between plants is 10 cm. More seeds may be planted
initially since some do not germinate followed by thinning which may be done
after 20-25 days of planting. Gap filling may be done by seeds or transplanting
the plants by careful removal during rains or putting water soon after
transplanting.
Fertilizer recommendations
Bean needs 200 kg D compound at sowing and top dressing of 100 kg urea/ha
after 30-35 days of planting.
Weeding
The planting should be done in weed free plot and one hand weeding may be
performed before top dressing. Second weeding may be taken as per the need.
Diseases/pests and their control
Control of bean stem maggot and foliage beetle is must by use of insecticides
and other cultural methods. Use of seed treatment with Endosulfan @ 50g/10
Kg seed or soil application of Phorate granules @ 10 Kg/ha is therefore
recommended. Early and late plantings get more infestation of bean stem
maggot. Also drought at seedling stage favours the damage due to insects. Use
of tolerant varieties is recommended for the management of foliar and pod
diseases. The varieties with erect growth habit suffer little due to pod and seed
rots.

3. Harvesting and expected yields
The crop is ready for harvest if the leaves are fallen and pods turn yellow.
Timely harvest ensures the good seed quality and proper seed germination.
Plants should be cut at ground level. Two persons can cut and pile one lima in a
day. Proper drying is must to prevent pod and seed rot. Care should be taken to
store and dry the early crop of bean under the shade.
When dry, fill the plants in sacks and beat with the sticks. Winnow it to get
clean beans. The rotten and infected seeds should be shorted out.
The yields ranging from 800-1,000 kg /ha or 200-250 kg/lima can be achieved
easily, if the crop is planted in time, fertilized and protected from insects, weeds
as well as diseases.
Storage and marketing
The bean can be stored safely up to the next crop season if care is taken to
prevent the damage by bruchids. Fumigation of seed in store may done with
Quickphos tablets. The store should be properly sealed so that gas can remain
effective for at least 24 h. It kills the insects and eggs completely and does not
leave residual effect on beans. The fumigation however should be done under
supervision of well experienced personnel and extra care should be taken to
avoid inhalation of gas by human and animals. The other method is the use of
Blue cross powder as done in maize. Keep enough beans for eating as well as
seed purpose and rest can be sold out.
The seed should be taken from a clean crop where the off types were removed.
The harvesting should be done soon after the physiological maturity and
threshing after 3-4 days drying. Sort out the off types, infected and shrivelled
seeds. Keep the clean and dry seeds in the cool place for storing. Fumigate the
store after putting the seeds at least ones. Observe the infestation of bruchids
and reapply fumes if damage is seen.
Crop utilization
Bean is mainly used after cooking as vegetable protein in the diet of rural as
well as urban population.