Bean farming holds significant importance to Kenya both economically and nutritionally. For example, bean farming contributes to the country’s economy through employment, income generation for farmers, and export revenue.
Kenya is one of the leading producers of beans in Africa, and the export of beans contributes to foreign exchange earnings. Beans are also a staple food in Kenya, providing a vital source of nutrition for millions of people.
They are rich in protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals, making them essential to the Kenyan diet.
Bean farming in Kenya is crucial in ensuring food security by providing a reliable source of affordable and nutritious food for both rural and urban populations. It provides a livelihood opportunity for millions of smallholder farmers in Kenya, particularly in rural areas where agriculture is the primary source of income.
Farmers can generate income to support their families, pay for education and healthcare, and invest in their farms and communities by cultivating beans.
Despite its enormous benefits, Bean farming in Kenya has not always been profitable. Though there are several reasons for this, the most common is lack of enough knowledge on proper bean seed varieties to plant.
This article discusses the various types of bean seed varieties in the market and why they could be good for your farm
5. Best Bean Seed Varieties to Increase Yeilds
- Rosecoco Beans
- Mwitemania Beans
- Canadian Wonder Beans
- KAT X56 Beans
- Nyayo Beans
- Wairimu Beans
1. Rosecoco beans
This bean variety typically has a growth period that ranges from 70 to 90 days, These depend on various factors such as climate conditions, soil fertility, and agronomic practices.
During this period, the beans progress through germination, vegetative growth, flowering, and pod development stages before reaching maturity.
Timely planting and proper management practices are crucial for maximizing growth and yield potential.
Yield Per Acre
Rosecoco beans are known for their relatively high yield potential. On average, well-managed Rosecoco bean farms in Kenya can yield anywhere from 8 to 15 bags (90 kilograms each) per acre.
Factors such as soil fertility, moisture availability, planting density, and pest management practices can influence yield variability.
Resistance to Diseases
One of the key advantages of Rosecoco beans is their resistance to common bean diseases prevalent in Kenya.
Varieties such as Chelalang Rosecoco, Mwezi Moja Rosecoco, and Nyayo Rosecoco exhibit varying levels of resistance to diseases such as bean common mosaic virus, angular leaf spot, and bean rust.
This inherent resistance reduces the susceptibility of Rosecoco beans to disease-related yield losses, contributing to more stable and predictable harvests.
2. Mwitemania Beans
Mwitemania beans, are a variety developed by the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO). Mwitemania beans typically exhibit a growth period ranging from 75 to 90 days, depending on environmental conditions and agronomic practices.
During this period, the beans progress through critical stages of germination, vegetative growth, flowering, and pod development, ultimately culminating in maturity. Timely planting, adequate moisture, and proper nutrient management are pivotal for optimizing growth dynamics and ensuring robust plant development.
Yield Expectations
Mwitemania beans offer farmers the promise of substantial harvests under favorable conditions. On average, well-managed Mwitemania bean farms in Kenya can yield 10 to 15 bags (90 kilograms each) per acre.
Disease Resistance
One of the standout attributes of Mwitemania beans is their robust resistance to prevalent bean diseases. These diseases include bean common mosaic virus, angular leaf spot, and anthracnose.
Mwitemania beans aldo exhibit resilience against pathogens, reducing the likelihood of yield losses due to diseases.
3. Canadian Wonder Beans
Canadian Wonder beans are known for their adaptability and culinary versatility. They have become a staple crop in many regions, thanks to their distinctive features, yield potential, and strategies for disease management.
Canadian Wonder beans typically boast a compact, bushy growth habit, making them suitable for a wide range of agricultural environments.
They produce elongated pods containing creamy-white beans with a smooth texture and mild flavor, ideal for various culinary applications.
Additionally, Canadian Wonder beans are recognized for their adaptability to diverse soil types and climates, allowing for cultivation in various agroecological zones.
Yield Potential
Canadian Wonder beans offer farmers the promise of a bountiful harvest, potentially yielding between 8 to 12 bags (90 kilograms each) per acre under optimal growing conditions.
Disease Management
While Canadian Wonder beans exhibit a degree of tolerance to certain bean diseases, proactive disease management strategies are essential to safeguard crops and mitigate potential losses.
Common diseases affecting Canadian Wonder beans include bean common mosaic virus, angular leaf spot, and anthracnose. Farmers should employ integrated pest management practices to combat these pathogens effectively, including crop rotation, use of disease-resistant varieties, timely planting, and application of fungicides when necessary.
4. KAT X56 Beans
KAT X56 beans are developed by the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO). They exhibit robust growth characteristics, with a growth period typically ranging from 75 to 90 days.
During this period, the beans progress through key stages of germination, vegetative growth, flowering, and pod development, ultimately reaching maturity. KAT X56 beans are adaptable to various soil types and climates, making them suitable for cultivation in diverse agroecological zones across Kenya.
Yield Potential
One of the key advantages of KAT X56 beans is their high yield potential under favorable growing conditions. On average, well-managed KAT X56 bean farms in Kenya can achieve yields ranging from 10 to 15 bags (90 kilograms each) per acre.
Disease Resistance
KAT X56 beans are bred for enhanced disease resistance, offering farmers resilience against common bean diseases in Kenya. These include bean common mosaic virus, angular leaf spot, and anthracnose.
The inherent disease resistance of KAT X56 beans reduces the susceptibility of crops to pathogens, minimizing the risk of yield losses and promoting sustainable bean production practices.
5. Nyayo Beans
Nyayo beans, are developed by (KALRO), and are known for their resilience and productivity in Kenya’s agricultural sector. They grow fast with a maturity period of 75 to 90 days. Nyayo beans thrive in various agroecological zones across Kenya, offering farmers flexibility in cultivation practices.
Yield Potential
One of the defining features of Nyayo beans is their impressive yield potential ranging from 10 to 15 bags (90 kilograms each) per acre on average.
Disease Resistance
Nyayo beans are bred for enhanced disease resistance, protecting farmers against common bean diseases in Kenya.
These include bean common mosaic virus, angular leaf spot, and anthracnose. The inherent disease resistance of Nyayo beans minimizes the risk of yield losses due to pathogens, promoting sustainable bean production practices.
6. Wairimu Beans
Wairimu beans have gained recognition for their adaptability and productivity in diverse agricultural settings. Wairimu beans exhibit robust growth patterns, typically spanning a growth period of 75 to 90 days.
Throughout this period, Wairimu beans progress through critical stages of germination, vegetative growth, flowering, and pod development, ultimately reaching maturity.
With their adaptability to various soil types and climates, Wairimu beans thrive in different agroecological zones across Kenya, offering farmers versatility in cultivation practices.
Yield Expectations:
One of the distinguishing features of Wairimu beans is their promising yield expectations under favorable growing conditions.
Well-managed Wairimu bean farms in Kenya can achieve yields ranging from 8 to 12 bags (90 kilograms each) per acre on average.
Disease Resistance
Wairimu beans are bred for enhanced disease resistance, providing farmers with a degree of protection against common bean diseases prevalent in Kenya.
These include bean common mosaic virus, angular leaf spot, and anthracnose. The inherent disease resistance of Wairimu beans reduces the susceptibility of crops to pathogens, minimizing the risk of yield losses and promoting sustainable bean production practices.
