Murang’a, 21st January 2025, By Miriam Wangui
Over 30 bean farmers from Muranga County took a significant role in shaping the future of bean production in Kenya during a participatory bean variety selection exercise at KALRO Horticulture Research Institute Kandara. This inclusive event was meant to bridge the gap between research and farmer preference. Ensuring the development of a new bean variety includes the very people who know it best, our farmers.
The day began with farmer registration , filling in questionnaires so as to capture essential background information about the farmers .This was followed by a practical ,on farm evaluation where farmers assessed the breeding lines planted in the farm and selected the 10 best performing lines using the ribbon method. The ribbon method is a participatory tool used by the farmer to visually mark their top choices. The best performing lines are picked on criteria such as plant health and its disease resistance ability, yield potential and pod size.
Murang’a farmers doing the bean variety selection at KALRO HRI /Photo courtesy of Miriam Wangui.
Researchers collected and analyzed this data and used it to identify the top performing selections using the farmers’ criteria .This approach will enable researchers to determine the best bean varieties for release, ensuring they align with farmer’s preferences and needs.
This inclusive exercise highlights the power of collaboration by placing the farmers at the heart of this research exercise .This ensures that varieties that will be developed will not only be scientifically approved but farmer approved as well.
