Full of beans: new varieties fight drought and sell well. Validated RNRRS Output.
Abstract
This is one of 280 summaries describing key outputs from the projects run by DFID's 10-year Renewable Natural Resources Research Strategy (RNRRS) programmes.
Summary for Project title: R8415: Dissemination of improved Phaseolus bean varieties in Tanzania.
New bean varieties are now available for the Southern Highlands of Tanzania. These include 'Urafiki', which tolerates drought and disease, and cooks well. 'Urafiki' has been adopted by many women farmers, especially by those growing for market. It has great potential for drier areas too. Working with public-sector seed supply systems, NGOs and community groups has brought the new varieties to many villages. Adoption rates of even recently-released varieties are very high: up to 40%. And, seed from the 350 farmers that were growing 'Urafiki' in 32 villages has already spread to 400,000 growers. Laminated information sheets are available which describe 'Urafiki' and other new bean varieties produced at the Uyole Agricultural Research Institute.
The CD has the following information for this output: Description, Validation, Current Situation, Environmental Impact. Attached PDF (10 pp.) taken from the CD.
Citation
CPP28, New technologies, new processes, new policies: tried-and-tested and ready-to-use results from DFID-funded research, Research Into Use Programme, Aylesford, Kent, UK, ISBN 978-0-9552595-6-2, p 18.