The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research Crops Research Institute (CSIR-CRI) introduced farmers in Oforikrom and Ejisu municipalities to common bean production technologies to maximize utilization in Ghana.
The program is part of the ongoing propagation of common beans, a crop relatively new to Ghana’s agricultural system.
It is implemented under the program “Development and development of highly drought-resistant bean varieties suitable for legume-rice rotation in Ghana” and is funded by the Alliance for the Green Revolution in Africa.
Dr. Emmanuel Asamoah Adjei, a seed scientist at CSIR-CRI, elaborated on the numerous benefits of the new varieties adding that knowledge about the improved common bean varieties (Ennepa and Adoye) was being disseminated to stakeholders to enhance adoption and integration into the Ghanaian agricultural system .
Speaking at a field demonstration at Fumesua near Ejisu in the Ashanti Region, he disclosed that plans were well advanced for CRI to release high iron and high zinc drought tolerant common bean varieties.
“These varieties are highly nutritious and drought tolerant, a trait that will support the cultivation of the crop amid climate variables.”
There are also plans to set up demonstration fields on farmers’ farms across the country to allow farmers to repeat the planting process and become familiar with the varieties and adopt them on release.
During the demonstration, farmers were exposed to common bean production practices such as land preparations (no-till and plowed lands), planting, fertilizers and insecticide applications.
Farmers were also informed about good agronomic practices, including herbicide application, types of fertilizers to use, planting distances, planting and harvesting times, and other basic practices.
Dr. Stephen Yeboah, Senior Research Scientist at CSIR-CRI and a member of the project, predicted the export potential of common beans, explaining that the crop had a high export market which if adopted and supported would contribute significantly to the country’s foreign exchange earnings.
He said the on-farm demonstration was a resounding success, highlighting the potential of new common bean varieties to improve nutrition and economic outcomes for Ghanaian farmers.
The initiative not only highlighted the benefits of adopting these new varieties, but also reinforced the critical role of research and collaboration in advancing agricultural practices.
Professor James Yaw Asibuo, principal investigator of CSIR-CRI, recounted the importance of beans in reducing malnutrition in children and pregnant women.
Given the high content of iron and zinc in common beans, it offers high potential for improving the nutritional status of consumers, especially women and children.
Abdulai Bubakari, a farmer from Ejisu township, was excited that scientists were working hard to bring new varieties of common beans.
Source: GNA
