Insect frass fertilizer as a regenerative input for improved biological nitrogen fixation and sustainable bush bean production.

Bush bean ( L.) production is undermined by soil degradation and low biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) capacity. This study evaluated the effect of black soldier fly frass fertilizer (BSFFF) on bush bean growth, yield, nutrient uptake, BNF, and profitability, in comparison with commercial organic fertilizer (Phymyx, Phytomedia International Ltd.

Characterization of phenotypic traits associated with anthracnose resistance in selected common bean ( L.) breeding material.

Anthracnose caused by is the major common bean disease worldwide causing complete yield loss under favourable disease conditions. This study aimed to determine phenotypic traits associated with anthracnose resistance for future use in breeding programmes. Twenty-two common bean varieties (CBVs) were selected basing on susceptibility to anthracnose, advanced breeding lines, improved variety resembling advanced breeding lines and the farmer variety widely grown in Tanzania.

Multivariate genomic analysis and optimal contributions selection predicts high genetic gains in cooking time, iron, zinc, and grain yield in common beans in East Africa.

Common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is important in African diets for protein, iron (Fe), and zinc (Zn), but traditional cultivars have long cooking time (CKT), which increases the time, energy, and health costs of cooking. Genomic selection was used to predict genomic estimated breeding values (GEBV) for grain yield (GY), CKT, Fe, and Zn in an African bean panel of 358 genotypes in a two-stage analysis.

Immediate impacts of COVID-19 pandemic on bean value chain in selected countries in sub-Saharan Africa.

Africa's agriculture and food systems were already grappling with challenges such as climate change and weather variability, pests and disease, and regional conflicts. With rising new cases of COVID 19 propelling various African governments to enforce strict restrictions of varying degrees to curb the spread. Thus, the pandemic posed unprecedented shocks on agriculture and food supply chains in Sub Saharan Africa.

Genomics, genetics and breeding of tropical legumes for better livelihoods of smallholder farmers.

Legumes are important components of sustainable agricultural production, food, nutrition and income systems of developing countries. In spite of their importance, legume crop production is challenged by a number of biotic (diseases and pests) and abiotic stresses (heat, frost, drought and salinity), edaphic factors (associated with soil nutrient deficits) and policy issues (where less emphasis is put on legumes compared to priority starchy staples). Significant research and development work have been done in the past decade on important grain legumes through collaborative bilateral and multilateral projects as well as the CGIAR Research Program on Grain Legumes (CRP-GL).

Assessment of the technical competence and ethical behaviour of Community-based Animal Health Workers in Mwingi District, Kenya.

This paper describes an assessment of the technical competence and ethical behaviour of Community-based Animal Health Workers (CAHWs) in Mwingi District, Kenya. From 99 trained CAHWs, 40 participated in the study. Using a pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire, direct observation of the relevant veterinary drug kits and participatory discussions, the study team found that the CAHWs knowledge of clinical signs of local livestock diseases and notifiable and zoonotic diseases and their ability to use veterinary drugs correctly and safely were adequate.

Sustainability of a privatized community-based animal health worker system in Mwingi District, Kenya.

This paper describes a study on the sustainability of Community-based Animal Health Worker (CAHW) services in Mwingi District, Kenya. These services began in 1992 and were supported by the District Veterinary Authority (DVA) with assistance from the Integrated Food Security Programme-Eastern (IFSP-E). Over time and using a process of participatory reviews with multiple stakeholders, the system evolved into a network of CAHWs.