Earn sh5m from an acre of beans

Every person has eaten beans in his life. This is because beans are considered an equalizer menu in every community.

In large institutions, such as schools, the security forces and prisons, beans constitute the sauce.

During the recent COVID-19 relief food distribution, the country ran out of beans and had to import them from neighbouring countries, including Tanzania and Rwanda.

However, the quality of the beans supplied was wanting since most of them were old. It is believed that unless there is massive production, the country will have no beans to nourish schools (biggest consumers) when schooling starts again.

Money in beans

On average, a farmer spends sh1.5m-sh2m on buying seeds and managing an acre of beans, including ploughing, planting and harvesting.

Depending on the variety planted, expected yield is between 1800kg- 2,500kg per acre. At a moderate sh3,000 per kilogramme at farm gate price, that translates into sh5.4m to sh7.5m from an acre. If a farmer planted 10 acres, for example, that is over sh50m-sh70m.

Varieties

Previous research efforts by the National Bean Programme has released 16 varieties, two in 1994, three in 1995 and seven in 1999. It also released two in 2005, two in 2006 and more varieties in 2016/17.

Some of the outstanding market class varieties so far released include K132, NABE series from 1-NABE 23, NARBL 114 and NARBL 233-2.

These varieties are largely resistant or tolerant to diseases, such as anthracnose.

These varieties have also been found to be tolerant to other diseases, such as root rots and halo blight. They are also early maturing, ranging between 58-70 days. This means that if you plant in early March, they should be maturing by the end of May.

However, some of the farmers and buyers preferred old varieties, such as Kanyebwa, Kahura and Masindi yellow, which are becoming difficult to produce and Uganda is on the verge of losing them.

Planting varieties

Unlike other crops, the amount of seeds needed per acre differ from variety to variety. For example, if you are planting most of the NABE varieties, you need 25kg-30kg per acre. For some varieties, you need just 20kg per acre. NABE runs from NABE 1-NABE 23.

Latest NABE varieties take 60-70 days to mature, while the earlier varieties take 80-90 days. Note that all varieties come in different colours and shapes.

However, the National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO) recently released new varieties called NARO beans, which are mainly rich in iron. These take 60-90 days to mature. If you are planting the K132 variety, you need 32-36kg per acre.

Compiled by Joshua Kato (editor Harvest Money) and the National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO)