data/part_1/01653ebc7f03f8e592373bb717159acb.json

{"metadata":{"id":"01653ebc7f03f8e592373bb717159acb","source":"gardian_index","url":"https://cgspace.cgiar.org/rest/bitstreams/121ddd91-15a0-47ae-9fac-a315c52d0f78/retrieve"},"pageCount":36,"title":"Transforming Food Systems Impacts and insights from scaling innovations in Zimbabwe","keywords":[],"chapters":[{"head":"T","index":1,"paragraphs":[{"index":1,"size":28,"text":"he Bean flagship project worked with private and public sector partners to create a thriving bean subsector while promoting food and nutrition security, income, health, and women's empowerment."},{"index":2,"size":188,"text":"• A total of 1,500,000 small-scale farmers received improved bean seed and information on farming practices, with women accounting for 50% of the total. • To promote access to crop management practices, eight public and private sector scaling partners engaged in promoting access to crop management practices. • Fourteen seed houses were contracted to multiply and distribute certified seed from eight new bean varieties, resulting in a market increase in seed supply. • Fifteen crop production technologies were promoted to farmers resulting in increased yields and resilience to climate change. • Bean corridors were established to consolidate bean producers and consumers through organized distribution and supply networks • Private lead firms who are buyers, and service providers established and led five business platforms. • Processing industries and medium and small entrepreneurs developed commercial bean based products. • Four nutritious bean-based products were produced by processing industries and entrepreneurs. • Twenty multi-sector scaling partners advocated for the inclusion of High Iron Beans (HBS) in a national food fortification policy. • Men, women, and youth received production, marketing, and entrepreneurship skills, and encouraged to participate in gender inclusive business platforms."}]},{"head":"Awards","index":2,"paragraphs":[{"index":1,"size":21,"text":"The Crop Breeding Institute's bean program won the 2019 Robert Gabriel Mugabe Award for establishing a transformative bean biofortification research program."}]},{"head":"Our work","index":3,"paragraphs":[{"index":1,"size":32,"text":"A vibrant bean sub-sector Bean researchers and the canning industry came together to select varieties suitable for canning. As a result, the canning industry had access to local beans suitable for processing."},{"index":2,"size":74,"text":"Constant iteration among actors in the bean value chain resulted in course correction, innovation, and impact validity. T he flagship project targeted small-scale women, men, and youth farmers, with limited resources and who frequently face climate-related production shocks, food insecurity, and lower incomes. A major concern was ensuring that bean value chain actors, including men, women, and youth, have equitable access to their preferred bean varieties, production and market skills, and profitable bean markets."}]},{"head":"Lack of biofortified navy bean varieties for the canning industry.","index":4,"paragraphs":[{"index":1,"size":36,"text":"The canning industry identified genetic biofortification as a cost-effective and longterm solution to malnutrition in the country. The required navy bean varieties combined high grain yield with good canning quality and micronutrient (Iron and Zinc) density."}]},{"head":"High rates of malnutrition in rural and urban communities","index":5,"paragraphs":[{"index":1,"size":54,"text":"Farming communities, sold their produce, and were severely food insecure and malnourished. Urban communities with poor dietary habits were obese while others were malnourished. Multisectoral initiatives aimed to provide affected school-aged children, women, youths, and urban residents with nutritious beans, bean based products, and enterprise support skills and enterprise support skills including value addition."}]},{"head":"Fragmented bean markets","index":6,"paragraphs":[{"index":1,"size":35,"text":"Contract arrangements between seed and grain producers and entrepreneurs were nonexistent. To get bean businesses off the ground, value chain actors relied on stable and secure business consolidation environment, offered by functional business innovation platforms."}]},{"head":"Insufficient and limited access to appropriate quality seed","index":7,"paragraphs":[{"index":1,"size":36,"text":"Farmers had difficulty obtaining affordable and high-quality appropriate bean seed. To establish a well-organized seed system, private seed houses, community-based seed producers (CBSP), and shuttle seed production reorganized into functional seed production and seed supply networks"}]},{"head":"What was the problem?","index":8,"paragraphs":[{"index":1,"size":36,"text":"of canning beans were imported annually. This presented a USD 1.44 m per year opportunity for small scale farmers of farmers in rural communities grew multiple food crops; but 33% of these farmers were food insecure."},{"index":2,"size":51,"text":"of women of reproductive ages between the ages of 15 and 19 were.at risk of obesity or malnutrition and in need of a variety of healthy foods of households purchased seed, but 42% of it was in lower than desired quantities, expensive, and acquired from bean traders far from farming households "}]},{"head":"Demand led breeding program","index":9,"paragraphs":[{"index":1,"size":60,"text":"The emphasis was on setting up efficient germplasm selection and the utilization of genetic diversity through modern breeding techniques. Gender and inclusion considerations enabled value chain actors to choose which beans were produced, traded, and consumed. Grain color and bean size influenced consumer and market preference for grain, and ultimately the final varieties released to farmers and sold in markets."}]},{"head":"Labour saving intiative","index":10,"paragraphs":[{"index":1,"size":74,"text":"This initiative assisted male and female small-scale farmers in reducing labor costs and drudgery during key farm operations, such as land preparation, planting, weeding, fertilizer application, harvesting, threshing, grading, bulking, and marketing. Early maturing varieties, beans that did not shatter on-farm upon maturity, and disease resistant varieties enabled small scale farmers, especially women, to escape drudgery and high production expenses. Integrated pest management, soil fertility and water management, and conservation agriculture benefited all farmers"}]},{"head":"Nutrition sensitive agriculture program","index":11,"paragraphs":[{"index":1,"size":52,"text":"The flagship project team was aware of the prevalence of malnutrition and childhood stunting in farming communities with high bean production. Driven by a national food biofortification strategy, multisector teams advocated for the production and consumption of HIB beans and bean products among school-aged children, rural and urban communities, and female entrepreneurs."}]},{"head":"Seed production and delivery program","index":12,"paragraphs":[{"index":1,"size":68,"text":"In response to the lack of high-quality bean seed experienced by small-scale male, female, and youth farmers as well as seed entrepreneurs, the project implemented shuttle seed production, decentralized early generation seed production, and organized seed supply chains and distribution networks. Smallscale seed businesses were equipped with business acumen. These initiatives substantially increased the number of small-scale seed companies and the availability of high-quality bean seed near communities."}]},{"head":"Bean market corridors","index":13,"paragraphs":[{"index":1,"size":151,"text":"Bean corridors were set up as a solution for market concentration. The objective was to resolve unstructured bean trade flows across key market and processing outlets, aggregation hubs, and places with substantial bean production. The corridors were steered by private sector led enterprises (buyers/processors/ exporters) and facilitated via a business platform. B reeding for preferred user traits such as yield, drought tolerance, disease and insect resistance, commercial attributes, nutrition value, and market potential were prioritized. There were three critical areas of importance: i) Inclusivity through participatory variety selection, which ensured that user preferences of men, women, youth, and bean value chain actors were taken into account in variety selection; ii) Application of modern statistical methods in breeding; and iii) Bean market segmentation, which identified a set of traits for bean grain types across production and consumption hubs. The program was made possible with the guidance of gender and demand-led breeding experts."}]},{"head":"Our programmes","index":14,"paragraphs":[]},{"head":"Focus districts","index":15,"paragraphs":[]},{"head":"Beneficiaries","index":16,"paragraphs":[{"index":1,"size":51,"text":"• Male and female farmers including youths identified varieties that were adapted to their locations and of preferred traits  Kaseke is a research technician in charge of setting up farmer trials and ensuring both men and women farmers participate equally in participatory variety selection (PVS) at the vegetative and maturity stages."},{"index":2,"size":44,"text":"Men and women's participation gained traction in 2017 when gender responsiveness was incorporated into the practice of participatory variety selection. It requires the participation of men and women, whose views, interests, needs, and priorities differ due to their different roles and responsibilities in farming."},{"index":3,"size":53,"text":"\"Prior to 2017, I did not include men and women farmers in the selection process, instead relying on data from field trials and conclusions from onsite testing to estimate farmers' interest in a bean variety. As a result, as CBI, we released varieties that were overall good but underperformed on crucial farmer attributes\""},{"index":4,"size":17,"text":"Kaseke has skills and experience in gender led participatory variety selection having participated in several training sessions."},{"index":5,"size":45,"text":"\"I list the varieties of beans I like and the reasons why I like them so much. Thereafter i rank my reasons on the basis of importance starting with the best rank first. i look out for four characteristics, high yielding, fast-cooking, earlymaturing and taste\"."},{"index":6,"size":49,"text":"Susan is a farmer from Guzyanga. She supports the DRSS-endorsed Participatory variety selection technique promoted to men, women, youth, and other value chain stakeholders. Choosing a bean line entail pinning a ribbon on a peg, displaying the bean line with my desired characteristics and the reasons for my selection."},{"index":7,"size":20,"text":"Individuals or groups of men and women, as well as other actors, play an equal role in the selection process."},{"index":8,"size":67,"text":"\"Watching groups of women and men vote on bean lines based on various criteria is a lot of fun. My vote is valid. My selection symbolizes the preferences of women in Zimbabwe who, like me, prefer a bean with great soup and flavor that cooks faster, giving us more time to do other tasks and more wood to cook other meals. It is significant and incredibly empowering."},{"index":9,"size":26,"text":"The CBI breeding program compiles the features that are most significant to diverse groups, this data is thereafter utilized to influence the final selection of varieties."}]},{"head":"Anthony Kaseke Research Technician Susan Makureya Farmer","index":17,"paragraphs":[{"index":1,"size":58,"text":"Testimonials \"When customers of canned beans open a can of beans, they anticipate that the bean sauce contains no broken, clumped, or under cooked beans. Consumers of dry bean packets wish forbeans that cook quickly and use less energy. To ensure consumer acceptance, canning processors need beans with uniform grain size, color, and texture throughout processing and age\""},{"index":2,"size":66,"text":"In 2015, Patience led the food industry's research and development at CAIRNS. Canned beans were imported from Tanzania, South Africa, and even the United States. CAIRNS teamed up with the CBI breeding team to replace imported beans with locally grown beans suitable for canning and cooked dry packets. Only two bean varieties were good for canning: the red-spotted Gloria bean and the white Navy Michigan bean."},{"index":3,"size":61,"text":"\"The bean people from CBI and PABRA, as I commonly referred to them, opened up a world of exciting possibilities for my craft; there was a wide variety of beans, of different colors, sizes, and cooking times, locally available in Zimbabwe and throughout the southern Africa region with commercial scalability; and I could access technical expertise with just a phone call.\""},{"index":4,"size":85,"text":"As a result of research and industry collaboration, CAIRNS developed two new canning bean products with good canning characteristics, namely NUA 45 and Cherry bean. At the peak of the collaboration, the two products NUA45 and cherry bean constituted 26% of the factory's total cans produced annually. Local producers in Zimbabwe, Malawi, and Zambia supplied 7 % of the previously imported white navy bean. \"Bean salad as a food product had previously seemed like a distant dream, not anymore, the colors and sizes were infinite.\""},{"index":5,"size":47,"text":"Rupango is a youth farmer from Manunure who works closely with the CBI research team to oversee experimental plots and one of the seed growers for breeder seed. In the last five years, he has undergone several trainings on hosting field research trials and participatory variety selection."},{"index":6,"size":35,"text":"He is now a trainer for the CBI research team. He conducts farmer field days to educate farmers on bean farming practices. He also guides men, women and youth farmers to conduct participatory variety selection."},{"index":7,"size":48,"text":"\"Through field days and farm visits, I have trained and mentored over 100 farmers in the last five years.Working with CBI has given me the assurance I need to succeed as a farmer. The farmers and non-profits in my area regularly consult me for advice on agricultural matters\"."},{"index":8,"size":10,"text":"Rupango is a representative for men farmers from his region."},{"index":9,"size":20,"text":"To better assist farmers with variety selection in the field, he plans to take a course in participatory plant breeding."},{"index":10,"size":19,"text":"\"If it weren't for my association with CBI, I doubt I would be representing men farmers in my district"}]},{"head":"Patience Mukweza","index":18,"paragraphs":[{"index":1,"size":2,"text":"Food Technologist"}]},{"head":"Darlington Rupango","index":19,"paragraphs":[{"index":1,"size":81,"text":"Farmer L abor costs and drudgery associated with land preparation, planting, weeding, fertilizer application, harvesting, threshing, grading, bulking, and cooking were reduced. In regions with unpredictable rainfall, the initiative ensured the availability of short-season, early-maturing bean varieties. Farmers tested small land preparation equipment. Technologies for integrated weed and pest management were promoted. Bean varieties with short cooking times and others with pods that did not shatter in the field upon maturity were made available. Nyaundi is a youth farmer from Nyamaropa."},{"index":2,"size":95,"text":"\"My kids are young and can't help me. I rent a co-op tractor to prepare the soil. I buy improved seed from a reputable source, and receive training on organic and in organic fertilizer application and on pests, and diseases recommendations. The fields look good and production is high. I spend less time in the field with early maturing beans because they mature in 75 days and tolerate common pests and diseases. Some seasons are better for avoiding pests and diseases. A good growing season has few pests and diseases. I'm always ready for them\"."},{"index":3,"size":54,"text":"NUA 45 costs o.5 usd more than older or newer varieties for a 20kgs bag. \"With NUA 45's proceeds, I bought goats and an oxdrawn plough. I now recommend NUA 45 to other beginning farmers because it can easily yield between 1,200 and 1,400 kgs per hectare when you follow the advisory services provided\"."},{"index":4,"size":68,"text":"Maibvise farms beans under irrigation in Guzyanga. CBI established a weed management advisory package that incorporates farming practices and organic herbicides. Maibvise had always been opposed to herbicides and had rejected them due to their poor branding. He was spending USD 90 both on labor for hand weeding and on pests that came in with the weeds, that is when he decided to try the weed management practices."},{"index":5,"size":40,"text":"\"I was completely unaware of the preparations and dosage. I had no idea how to interface with other farming systems and ensure long-term use. I am now confident in applying herbicides after learning the skills and following the technical advice.\""},{"index":6,"size":23,"text":"When used in conjunction with recommended farming practices, herbicides are more effective than hand weeding, at keeping weeds out of irrigated bean fields."},{"index":7,"size":31,"text":"\"In one farming season, my yields per hectare averaged 3 tonnes, with a revenue of USD 2,700, compared to 1.1 tonnes and revenue of usd 825 before I adopted these practices.\""},{"index":8,"size":21,"text":"Maibvise is currently consulting with other farmers on the safe implementation of a number of weed management farming practices in Chimanimani."},{"index":9,"size":17,"text":"He hires rural youth to provide weed management consulting services to other farmers at a small fee."},{"index":10,"size":6,"text":"Victor Nyaundi Farmer Tafadzwa Maibvise Farmer"}]},{"head":"Testimonials","index":20,"paragraphs":[{"index":1,"size":14,"text":"Nyembesi is a hardworking bean farmer who lives in Bindura district with her grandchildren."},{"index":2,"size":29,"text":"The family is well-known for their love of bean cultivation. Irrigated bean fields require a lot of work, and her grandchildren despise laboring on the farm with hand hoes."},{"index":3,"size":12,"text":"Farm equipment inspire the youngsters to work on the irrigated bean fields."},{"index":4,"size":33,"text":"\"Their late uncle purchased the cultivator, but it was not utilized for several years. CBI field technicians gave us instructions on the cultivator and trained us on its use on our irrigation sites\"."},{"index":5,"size":43,"text":"Nyembesi bean field was 0.2 hectares now with the cultivator, she has expanded to 0.5 hectares She also hires out the cultivator during the weeding season at usd 125 daily rate and the proceeds go to buying groceries and and paying school fees."},{"index":6,"size":46,"text":"Farming with the cultivator results to more yields on farm. Before we started to use the cultivator, our yield was 800kgs per hectare, now in combination with all the other farming practices we deploy on farm, our yields range between 1200 and 1,400 kgs per hectare."},{"index":7,"size":35,"text":"Trust resides in Gudyanga. He oversees the Gudyanga irrigation scheme. \"in 2015, we cultivated horticulture crops instead of beans. Unreliable intermediaries were the largest obstacle to bean business contracts, resulting in fragmented bean business arrangements."},{"index":8,"size":40,"text":"We began cultivating Gloria bean seed in 2017. It matures early, in 75 days and is resistant to rust, common bacterial blight, and angular leaf spot. Gloria was in high demand and continues to be highly demanded up to now."},{"index":9,"size":9,"text":"\"Since then, we have experienced a rise in business."},{"index":10,"size":26,"text":"Growing high maturing varieties of seed ensures that our seed will be available on the market when seed supplies are limited and bean prices are high."}]},{"head":"Nyembesi Chakona Farmer","index":21,"paragraphs":[{"index":1,"size":69,"text":"Trust Gunanga Farmer T his program enabled HIBs and bean-based products to be available to rural and urban households, school-aged children, youth, and women. It was a multi-sector and stakeholder initiative stimulated by a national biofortification policy to address low malnutrition levels. HIBs were promoted through community nutrition education, food basket approaches, school feeding programs, kitchen gardens, training in food preparation, value addition and commercial production of bean products."}]},{"head":"Beneficiaries","index":22,"paragraphs":[{"index":1,"size":6,"text":"• Small-scale farmers obtained HIB seed."},{"index":2,"size":27,"text":"• Women men and youth gained skills on nutritional value of HIBs, commercial bean based production, and enterprise development • During school feeding programs, schoolchildren ate HIBs."},{"index":3,"size":8,"text":"• Consumers accessed diverse nutritious bean based products."},{"index":4,"size":11,"text":"• Farmer producer organizations had access to a thriving HiB market."},{"index":5,"size":38,"text":"• Food processing companies accessed a steady supply of HIB for their production pipelines.   \"Farmers learned how to make porridge, bean sauce, cookies, cakes, scones, jambalaya, samp, bean baobab juice, bread, salads, samosa, mahewu, yoghurt, cookies, and more\"."}]},{"head":"Nutrition sensitive agriculture program","index":23,"paragraphs":[{"index":1,"size":41,"text":"The products were sold in local retail outlets while the dishes were sold in restaurants. Women and young people learned how to be business owners and sold bean products with added value for 50 percent more than the price of grain. "}]},{"head":"Testimonials","index":24,"paragraphs":[{"index":1,"size":33,"text":"Prior to 2017, parents of Mhakwe Primary School raised money for the school lunch. and development partners visited the school in 2017 and donated 5 kgs of Sweet Violet and NUA45 bean seed."},{"index":2,"size":7,"text":"\"Parents do not buy school lunches anymore."},{"index":3,"size":19,"text":"Our school farms grow beans for luch. Majority of our students have returned, and their grades have even improved.\""},{"index":4,"size":51,"text":"In 2021, CBI and its development partners distributed a 10kg seed pack to each of 40 schools to increase the availability of HIB in school meal programs. Field technicians and community health workers were dispatched to teach students, teachers and people in surrounding neighborhoods better farming practices and food preparation methods."},{"index":5,"size":41,"text":"CBI and its development partners distributed 10kg seed packs to 40 schools in 2021 to increase HIB in school meal programs. Field technicians and community health workers were dispatched to teach students, teachers, and neighbors better farming and food preparation methods."},{"index":6,"size":18,"text":"\"The best bean fields were found at our school. Our school's parents took turns caring after the fields\"."},{"index":7,"size":33,"text":"The feeding program has improved relations between school parents and the school administration. When the doctors came to vaccinate their students, our students were easy to vaccinate. \"Students must be well-fed before injections.\""},{"index":8,"size":50,"text":"The Ministry of Health and Child Care (Mo-HCC) collaborated with CBI to promote the production and utilization of HIB across the country. \" We were particularly keen to tackle the malnutrition levels in areas recording high production of biofortified crops\" Says Nyadzayo a nutrition manager at the ministry of health."},{"index":9,"size":73,"text":"During this phase, six different initiatives to enhance consumption of beans and valueadded products were proposed. Among these were the lobbying for multi-sector policy, the promotion of more varied agricultural and livestock production, the raising of community knowledge on biofortification, school feeding programs, and supplemental feeding to improve the diets of children. In particular, the MoHCC collaborated with DRSS to promote the consumption of biofortified beans across all of the ministry's various initiatives."},{"index":10,"size":52,"text":"In 2018, the MoHCC, DRSS, PABRA, UNICEF and others worked together to conduct a national nutrition survey. The study showed the percentage of households with a diet that was on the borderline rose from 21 percent in the year 2010 to 28 percent in the year 2018. Which is a great signal."},{"index":11,"size":9,"text":"\"Our continuous involvement in HIBs is a valid course.\""},{"index":12,"size":90,"text":"Edwell Shayamano Teacher Tasiana Krispin Nyadzayo Nutrition Manager T his program made available early generation bean seed to private seed companies, community producer organizations, and smallholder male and female farmers. The development of commercial seed distribution networks was a collaborative effort between seed companies, outgrowers, development partners, seed retailers, and seed industry specialists. As a result seed of newly released varieties quickly penetrated the market and communities, in pack sizes affordable to farmers of different categories. Community seed producer groups were strengthened, and nonexclusive contracts for seed multiplication were established."}]},{"head":"Beneficiaries","index":25,"paragraphs":[{"index":1,"size":10,"text":"• Small-scale farmers had access to preferred seed package sizes."},{"index":2,"size":78,"text":"• Smallholder male and female farmers acquired expertise in seed production and seed business. • Seed value chain actors, intermediaries, and seed distributors experienced a prosperous seed market. • Private seed companies had direct access to breeder seed and marketing rights. • Nongovernmental organizations working with communities accessed HIB seeds for distribution to communities. • In the subsidy program, government officials had access to seed for distribution to designated districts. Training and promotional materials on seed knowledge distributed."}]},{"head":"Seed production and delivery program","index":26,"paragraphs":[{"index":1,"size":61,"text":"A group of 17 women in Chimanimani wanted to produce high iron beans for value addition. The seed, however, would have to be obtained from the far-flung towns of Mutare, Chipinge, and Chimanimani. Angela of the LEAD Trust collaborated with the CBI to provide NUA 45 and Sweet William seed, as well as training in seed production, value addition, and gender."},{"index":2,"size":62,"text":"They began by teaching 12 lead women to produce seed for demonstration to other farmers. Each farmer received 20kgs of seed and harvested on average 250kgs valued at usd 375. The seed was still very scarce and the demand was high. They now have 259 farmers growing the NUA 45 beans. 60% are women and 10% are youth both men and women."},{"index":3,"size":89,"text":"\"In the 7 year period, our seed business revenue increased from usd 375 in 2017 to usd 34,640 in 2020/21. Majority of the seeds were sold to Harare-based Zadzamatura seed company on contract, and others to local markets, major cities, NGOs, schools and hospitals\" They've continued to cultivate the beans as a group and on their individual plots. They also produce an extra 100kgs that is used to produce grain for processing bean-based porridge, bread, and scones that target nursing mothers, infants, school-aged children, and people recovering from diseases."},{"index":4,"size":40,"text":"The products were sold in local retail outlets while the dishes were sold in restaurants. Women and young people learned to be business owners and sold bean products with added value for 50 percent more than the price of grain."},{"index":5,"size":13,"text":"Seed companies acquire pure breeder seeds from CBI for production of foundation seed."},{"index":6,"size":37,"text":"Mangemba runs Sandbrite Seed Company in Harare. Since 2015, they've grown Gloria (a large, seeded sugar bean) and NUA45 (large seeded high iron). These are two bean varieties introduced in 2010, five years before the project began."},{"index":7,"size":54,"text":"\"In 2015, we acquired 0.5 tons of Gloria and NUA 45 breeder seeds from CBI. At 1.8 tons per hactare, we harvested 9 tons of clean seed.\" Good yields were a result of heavy rains but the heavy rains spotted the beans; after filtering for quality, seed volumes declined. The seed price was $2.50/kg."},{"index":8,"size":64,"text":"Sandbrite's farms and contract farmers produce 18 tons annually. At peak, they sold 30 tons in 2018. HIBs were promoted by the Ministry of Health, Ag Extension, Nutrition Council, markets, and NGOs making NUA 45 seeds very popular. Seed companies proliferated. The price of seed rose to USD3 from USD2.50. \"I grow 70-75% NUA 45 seed and 30-25% Sweet William, a large-seed sugar type.\""},{"index":9,"size":45,"text":"Sandbrite's clients are predominantly seed companies. Seeds are packaged in 2kg, 3kg, and 5kg amounts for NGOs to distribute to small-scale farmers. To meet NGO seed demand, Sandbrite buys seed from other seed houses. In a flooded seed market, they offer seed as premium grain."},{"index":10,"size":39,"text":"Every two years, they replenish their breeder seed from CBI. Seed is grown using 100 kg of compound basal per 0.5 hectare and cheaper foliar fertilizers under irrigation. Youth and women provide most of the labor on seed farms."}]},{"head":"Angela Muranganwa","index":27,"paragraphs":[{"index":1,"size":5,"text":"Field officer David Mangemba Director"}]},{"head":"Testimonials","index":28,"paragraphs":[{"index":1,"size":87,"text":"For Ernia, farming had never been a profitable venture until she became a commercial seed producer. In 2016, she spent her time caring for her young family, her crop field, and weeding in other farmers' fields for a day's pay. Her family grew retained seed of mixed varieties on a 0.05ha irrigated bean plot. Their average production was 30 kgs a cropping season. She sold 20 kgs and earned an average of USD 16.50. The family lacked enough food to last them to the next cropping season."},{"index":2,"size":35,"text":"In 2017, CBI and development partners targeted farmers groups with knowledge and skills on seed production, farming practices, farm inputs, and group organizing skills. She was one of the initial three seed-producing group members identified."},{"index":3,"size":112,"text":"And for the first time in her life, she was a group secretary. \"I was so delighted and empowered\" Her group had the best bean demonstration fields and was tasked to organize farmers field days. She met with numerous stakeholders and was inspired to commercially produce seed. She also attended seed and food fairs and won awards. \"Now I produce on average 600kgs bean seed on 0.4 ha for seed companies with a revenue of usd 600 in one cropping season and I hire 5 people to help me\" Ernia is also the group chairlady for the village nutrition club responsible for feeding children aged 6 to 23 months with nutrientdense HIBs."},{"index":4,"size":57,"text":"Pater Chari lives in the Wonde valley of the Mutasa district with his wife and six children. On a 2-hectare farm, he cultivates cereals, legume and seed crops. Beans are planted on 0.2 hectares. His family depends on the farm. His preferred bean varieties are NUA 45 and Sweet William since they mature quickly and are marketable."},{"index":5,"size":24,"text":"\"I buy bean seed in various packets of 5kgs, 10kgs or 25kgs each at usd 16, usd30 or usd 50 respectively from Mutasa market\"."},{"index":6,"size":136,"text":"Chari grows beans twice a year, following the winter rains in February and March and under irrigation in July and August. This year, he produced 400 kilograms on 0.2 hectares. Prior to 2016, he cultivated Cherry and Gloria bean varieties on a half-acre plot, yielding roughly half a ton. Currently, his yields range from 2ton and 1 ton per hectares, which is a result of using quality seeds and better farming practices.. His revenue from beans in one cropping season increased from $500 in 2015 to $1,700 in 2020/ 21 . He pays for his children's college education. He has expanded his house from two to seven rooms, with a portion of the funds coming from bean sales. Additionally, he has renovated his house and installed a solar system for lighting and charging his cell phones."}]},{"head":"Ernia Nyereyehama Farmer","index":29,"paragraphs":[{"index":1,"size":70,"text":"Peter Chari Farmer B usiness platforms were established in each corridor and were made up of representatives of farmers (cooperatives/groups), the buyer lead firms, and service providers supported by policy, extension and research. The private sector (buyers/ processors/exporters) set the business agenda by communicating the volume of seed and grain they required for their businesses. Farmers and aggregators structured their production and supply activities based on the market information received."}]},{"head":"Beneficiaries","index":30,"paragraphs":[{"index":1,"size":13,"text":"• Participants in the bean value chain gained seed and grain trading expertise."},{"index":2,"size":8,"text":"• Investors increased their investments and minimized risks."},{"index":3,"size":14,"text":"• Women were empowered to engage in bean markets, and their bean incomes increased."},{"index":4,"size":42,"text":"• Aggregators recorded increase in volumes aggregated for both grain and seed, • Farmers and bean value chain players' revenues increased as a result of growth in bean businesses  The selling price per kilogram was $1.50, and the total value was $90,000."}]},{"head":"Bean market corridors","index":31,"paragraphs":[]},{"head":"Eliud","index":32,"paragraphs":[{"index":1,"size":25,"text":"In 2019, Covid pandemic affected procurement from production sites and distribution to target markets. Bean sales ceased in the first few months of the epidemic."},{"index":2,"size":56,"text":"Currently, Mega market sells 300 tons of beans annually at an average price of $1.20 per kilo. Gloria and Sweet William make up 90% of the traded beans, while NUA45 makes up less than 10%. Beans are sourced from farmers in Mutare, Mutasa, and Nyanga district at an average cost of usd 0.9 cents per kilo."},{"index":3,"size":30,"text":"\"There are more beans in the market and more farmers growing beans, hence the drop in the buying price from $1.50 five years ago to the current $1.25 a kilo.\""},{"index":4,"size":31,"text":"Megamarket has expanded its operations from Manicaland to the entire nation and they have established warehouses in production areas. They have increased their customer base, distribution networks, logistic assets, and staff."},{"index":5,"size":11,"text":"\"As a result of our expansion, we occasionally discount our prices\"."},{"index":6,"size":56,"text":"Tafadzwa Mhambure Manager T he objective of the project was to increase the use of beans for food security, value added bean products for nutrition, and trade in bean-based processed products while ensuring equity and sustainability. 1,500,000 farmers livelihoods and many more consumers of bean based products and value chain actors were impacted by the project."},{"index":7,"size":7,"text":"The initiative transformed into an award-winning project."}]},{"head":"Key Success factors:","index":33,"paragraphs":[{"index":1,"size":53,"text":"Supporting institutional and individual partners-The bean business innovation platforms were avenues for facilitated public and private partners. The CBI was the convenor, and the agenda was set by the private sector. The goal was to actively respond to value chain actors' seed and grain demand and supply needs, ultimately reshaping the bean trade."},{"index":2,"size":41,"text":"Capacity development-The project's approach to skill and knowledge enhancement was critical to its success. 13,800 people from extension and scaling partners received direct training. End-user capacity building shifted when those who were trained became trainers and trained others in their communities."},{"index":3,"size":35,"text":"Multisector dynamics-The initiative was guided by stakeholders from civil society, banking, ICT, health, education, the environment, and agriculture. They reviewed progress, realigned the course, and innovated to deliver on the results at several annual forums."},{"index":4,"size":52,"text":"Demand responsive-From the beginning, the food industry, bean value chain actors, and health sector partners expressed a desire for suitable canning beans, a structured bean trade, and bean integration into existing food consumption patterns. Such clear demands kept CBI and scaling partners focused, and they delivered the necessary products and services together."},{"index":5,"size":48,"text":"Technical support -PABRA provided the necessary technical support; in collaboration with CBI and scaling partners, they developed and adapted technologies, tools, and methods to fit the local context. The flagship project provided the ideal setting for implementing technologies and approaches that had proven successful in other PABRA countries."}]},{"head":"Key Success factors","index":34,"paragraphs":[]}],"figures":[{"text":" between processing industries and producer organizations in manunure and Shungudzevhu November 7 tons of breeder seed distributed to 7 companies to support production of foundation seed of 5 in demand cultivars July CBI collaborated with CAIRNS, Healthy Foods and CADS to process, package and market bean-based products December canning quality analysis of new navy bean lines March Final project documentation December Project closure "},{"text":" /www.herald.co.zw/new-bean-variety-could-save-zim-us120k-a-month/ Zimbabwe Vulnerability Assessment Committee (ZIMVAC. 2015) Katungi E., Mutua M. Mutari B., Makotore W., Kalemera S., Maereka E., Zulu R †, Birachi E., Chirwa R. (2017). Improving bean production and consumption in Zimbabwe baseline report. International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT); Pan-Africa Bean Research Allience (PABRA). 49 p. "},{"text":"Beneficiaries• Women had access to bean varieties with a rapid cooking time. • Due to less splitting prior to and during harvest, farmers employed fewer workers to collect shattered beans from the fields. • Reduced time spent on land preparation and pest and weed control benefited men. • Youth benefited from income acquired from hiring labour to operate small equipment. • Farmers received training on integrated pest, disease and weed management Labour saving Initiative Jonathan Hodzi Bean Agronomist, Agronomy Research Institute.DRSS. Shamurai Muhera, Plant pathologist, Plant Protection Research Institute.DRSS. Boaz Waswa, Soil fertility specialist, The Alliance per year to surplus production for the market Number of youth growing beans using labor saving technologies Participation of women, men and youth in skill training offered jointly by CBI field technicians and scaling partners quick-maturing beans twice a year. Harvest time begins when school begins, and it is also the time to pay school fees from bean sales.\" Nyaundi started bean farming in 2017. DRSS agriculture extension officers introduced him to NUA 45 and educated him on sustainable bean farming practices. He got to know the extension officer who promised to train him. Confidently, he allocated 1 hectare of his land to beans. "},{"text":"Fungai  "},{"text":" CADS and CBI have worked together since the project begun.\"We promoted the developed by CBI. Our task was to teach people about the nutritional value of the varieties and train farmers how to grow and add value to their crops. Thanks to the partnership with CBI to promote the consumption of HIBs, more families acquired beans and bean based products over the course of seven years.\" Says Machivenyika the CEO of CADS.CADS, CBI, and the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) worked with community groups and partners from other sectors to implement initatives under the national food fortification policy. "},{"text":" Tsekenedza, Bean breader & Bean program leader. Crop Breeding Institute. DRSS. Jean Claude Rubyogo, Seed systems Specialist, Director PABRA & Global bean program leader, The Alliance Number of households accessing seed of improved bean varieties alongside good agricultural practices. Over 100 scaling partners involved. "},{"text":"  "},{"text":"  "},{"text":"  "},{"text":"  "},{"text":"variety selection Demand led breeding program Bruce Mutari, Former Bean Breeder at CBI Nyarai Chisorongwe, Research Officer on Gender. DRSS. Eileen Nchanji, Gender & Social Inclusion Expert. The Alliance & PABRA. The program established a network of sustainable partnerships in bean research for development. As a result, at CBI, we were able to generate transformational impact with modest resources A Gender customer profiling tool was used to identify the market traits at selection stage. This ensured that the ultimate choice of accepted varieties were responsive to user needs Being intentional on gender outcomes ensured that production, marketing and consumption issues for diverse groups along the value chain were addressed Sweet William Early maturing Sugar bean Variety name: Sweet william Potential yield (t/ha) 3.3 Biofortified sugear bean Variety name: NUA674 Potential yield (t/ha) 4 Early maturing large red kidney bean, good canning, Name: Gloxinia Potential yield (t/ha) 3.3 Small white pea canning bean Variety name: Protea Potential yield (t/ha) 4.3 Small white pea canning Variety name: Camellia Potential yield (t/ha) 3.3 Medium seed size Variety name: Jasmine Potential yield (t/ha) 2.8 6 Bean Varieties Released Camellia Gloxinia NUA674 Jasmine Protea In partnership with • The canning industry acquired bean varieties of desired cooking, canning and micronutrient qualities • Research technicians gained skills and knowledge on farmer and other users  "},{"text":"Adoption levels for HIBs 2015 2% 2021 47%  More than 500,000 From Zero in 2015 to More than 500,000From Zero in 2015 to rural farmers accessed Four bean products rural farmers accessedFour bean products HIB seed, through commercialized in 2017, HIB seed, throughcommercialized in 2017, government input subsidy these are canned NUA45, government input subsidythese are canned NUA45, program blended bean-based programblended bean-based  flour, packaged grain and flour, packaged grain and  precooked bean in brine. precooked bean in brine. 85 schools and 17,000  85 schools and 17,000 school going children.  school going children. consumed beans in  consumed beans in school feeding programs  school feeding programs from 1x in a week to 2x  from 1x in a week to 2x in a week  in a week 6 Food industries Number of consumers 6 Food industriesNumber of consumers processed and marketed accessing bean based processed and marketedaccessing bean based bean-based products products commercially bean-based productsproducts commercially in 2021. From only 1 in rose from 15,000 in 2015 in 2021. From only 1 inrose from 15,000 in 2015 2015. to 2,090,500 in 2021. 2015.to 2,090,500 in 2021.  "},{"text":"01 04 03 02 05 Number of innovation platforms established NYANYADZI Year: 2015 Male: 21 Female: 9 Youth: 0 Total: 30 GUDYANGA Year 2015 Male: 15 Female: 15 Youth: 0 Total: 30 NYAMAROPA Year: 2018 Male: 50 Female: 30 Youth: 0 Total: 80 MANUNURE Year: 2017 Male: 137 Female: 119 Youth: 39 Total: 295 SHUNGUDZEVHU Year 2018 Male: 42 Female: 27 Youth: 0 Total: 69 29 (2015) (2016) (2017) (2018) (2019) (2020) (2021) 7,351 7,350 7,418 10,400 15,000 8,300 14,400   1.0     1.0       0. 0.  0.8     0.8       0.6m 0.6m (millions) 0.6   0.5m 0.54m (millions)0.60.5m0.54m  0.4  0.32m   0.40.32m   0.25m    0.25m  0.2     0.2  0m     0m  0     0  5 2015 2016 2017 504 2018 2019 2020 57.1% 2021 5 201520162017504 2018 2019202057.1% 2021  Five bean business  Total number of farmers Women occupied 57.1% Five bean businessTotal number of farmersWomen occupied 57.1%  innovation platforms  participating in Bean of key positions across the innovation platformsparticipating in Beanof key positions across the  established as avenues  business innovation business platforms in 2021 established as avenuesbusiness innovationbusiness platforms in 2021  for linking producers to  platforms. 40% women, from lows of 30% in 2015 for linking producers toplatforms. 40% women,from lows of 30% in 2015  aggregation points and  60% men, 13% youth aggregation points and60% men, 13% youth  ultimately to bean buyers   ultimately to bean buyers  "},{"text":"75m Trends in volumes of Beans Traded Mashonaland West Midlands Matebeleland South Manicaland Midlands Bukawayo Masvingo Mashonaland Central 40 BRANDS OF BEAN PRODUCTS IN THE MARKET BY 115 TRADERS IN 8 PROVINCES Number of households selling beans to profitable markets She connected her home to the national electricity power grid in June of 2020. During the same year, CBI commissioned her to produce breeder seed at a cost of $400. With the additional funds, she bought a deep freezer, and a phone for her farmhand. Regina has paid off her children's school debts and purchased goats, chickens, and cattle. \"I won the jackpot. I made it. It was the result of hard work, dedication, and determination. The project was well-designed, buyers established standards, bean seed and inputs were available on loan, and advisory services were provided; consequently, I worked diligently'. In partnership In partnership with with 3,500 tones USD 10.7m of processed products valued at per year \"Contract farming has been a boon because buyers have paid agreed-upon prices,\" On 0.5 ha, she grows Sweet Violet, NUA45, and Protea beans. Her acreage yields 1.8 tons.\" As one's disposable income rises, so does one's appreciation for the finer things in life. She renovated her home in 2018. In 2019, she built a canopy connecting the main house to her outdoor kitchen and hired a farmhand. Miriam Kuretu Members decided to sell produce collectively and hired Miriam as the market facilitator. She received market training from Zdzamatura. She compares market prices, negotiates purchase contracts and coordinates produce collection and payments. She is also responsible for recruiting participating farmers based on a set criteria including willingness to work in groups, participation in trainings, and commitment to pay back input loans. Market Facilitator Regina Mafemera Farmer 3,500 tones USD 10.7m of processed products valued at per year \"Contract farming has been a boon because buyers have paid agreed-upon prices,\" On 0.5 ha, she grows Sweet Violet, NUA45, and Protea beans. Her acreage yields 1.8 tons.\" As one's disposable income rises, so does one's appreciation for the finer things in life. She renovated her home in 2018. In 2019, she built a canopy connecting the main house to her outdoor kitchen and hired a farmhand. Miriam Kuretu Members decided to sell produce collectively and hired Miriam as the market facilitator. She received market training from Zdzamatura. She compares market prices, negotiates purchase contracts and coordinates produce collection and payments. She is also responsible for recruiting participating farmers based on a set criteria including willingness to work in groups, participation in trainings, and commitment to pay back input loans. Market Facilitator Regina Mafemera Farmer \"I sold $14,000 worth of produce in 2021 and \"I sold $14,000 worth of produce in 2021 and $22,000 in 2022\". As a female market facili- $22,000 in 2022\". As a female market facili- tator, she's a role model to other women in the tator, she's a role model to other women in the community. \"Women feared losing their property community. \"Women feared losing their property if they failed to sell enough produce to pay for if they failed to sell enough produce to pay for input loans. I encouraged them to participate input loans. I encouraged them to participate in production and market training\". Miriam now in production and market training\". Miriam now mentors a 19-year-old woman from a separate mentors a 19-year-old woman from a separate scheme on market facilitation. scheme on market facilitation.  "}],"sieverID":"174d9bdc-9ef7-4b86-9928-9ba5d317d6bd","abstract":"DRSS -Department of Research and Special Services CBSP -Community Based Seed Producers CADS -Cluster Agricultural Development Services MoHCC -Ministry of Health and Child Care UNICEF -United Nations Children's Fund LEAD -Linkages for the Economic Advancement of the Disadvantage The Alliance -Alliance of Bioversity & International Center for Tropical Agriculture Acknowledgement Almost 1.5 million households accessed bean varieties and climate smart farming practices I n 2021, the Swiss Agency for Development Cooperation (SDC) and the Pan-African Bean Research Alliance (PABRA) concluded the seventh and final year of the Zimbabwe flagship project.In the past seven years, the bean industry in Zimbabwe has undergone a significant transformation. This document details the food system transformation, processes and outcomes from varying perspectives.Barriers to quality seed, bean production expertise, profitable bean markets, and nutrition caused smallholder bean farmers significant hardship. In response, five flagship initiatives on seed production and distribution, bean markets, demand-led breeding, labor-saving technologies, and nutrition-sensitive agriculture were launched.In 2020-2021, these were negatively impacted by the global pandemic of COVID-19. Farmers' access to inputs and services diminished. Throughout the duration of the pandemic outbreak, the project utilized its skilled local extension officers and local partnerships to maintain operations. Contracts were maintained between seed houses, aggregators, and producers, allowing for the continuation of business arrangements. I acknowledge the SDC and the Pan-African Bean Research Alliance (PABRA) for their respective financial and technical support.Acknowledgement also goes to the various divisions of the Zimbabwean Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, and Rural Resettlement for hosting the project."}