PABRA Reports
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Item Upscaling bean-based recipes: Training 1000+ trainers in Malawi. Government and NGOs collaborate to incorporate beans to enhance quality of nutrition programs(Case Study, 2024-06) Munthali, Justice; Birachi, EliudAs part of efforts to promote common beans in Malawi, CIAT/PABRA and partners has been implementing research-based nutrition-sensitive agriculture interventions, conducting nutrition studies to design, implement and upscale nutrition-sensitive solutions. These solutions included the participatory development of nutrition education and promotional materials, training extension workers, implementing community engagement initiatives, developing policy briefs, and preparing reports and peer reviewed papers. As a result, the government and other partners are promoting, adopting and upscaling bean-based recipes to sustainably diversify Malawi’s monotonous diets.Item Gender responsive breeding: Lessons from Zimbabwe(Report, 2022-05) Nchanji, Eileen ; Nyarai, Chisorochengwe; Tsekenedza, Shylet; Bruce, Mutari; Gutsa, Freeman; Sondayi, Lloyd; Lutomia, Cosmas Kweyu; Onyango, PatriciaGender analysis can have two kinds of influence and impact in a research program, such as plant breeding. One is to change the final results of the program by increasing the program’s attention to gender equality and to ensuring its benefits accrue to women, as well as to men. A second is to change the research process, by informing and altering research priorities and the program’s strategy for achieving them so that the program becomes more gender-responsive. Frequently this second type of change is a precondition for the first. The purpose of these Case Studies is to illustrate the impact of gender analysis on research in a real-life breeding program with an analysis of learning about gender and change in the breeding process. Better understanding of how gender analysis has been used to catalyze change in how plant breeding research is conducted should help programs interested in becoming gender-responsive to make more effective use of gender analysis. This document provides a Guide to writing a Case based on real experience in a plant breeding program or project for use by case study authors.Item Improving food security, nutrition, incomes, natural resource base and gender equity for better livelihoods of smallholder households in sub-Saharan Africa(Report, 2021-04) Pan-Africa Bean Research AllianceThis report highlights progress of achievement over the last six years 2015 – 2020 in Burundi, Zimbabwe and other PABRA countries. The SDC project in the Flagship countries and other PABRA countries seeks to address the following outcomes: Intermediate Outcome 1: Increased bean productivity Intermediate Outcome 2: Increased utilization of improved bean-based products for nutrition security Intermediate Outcome 3: Increased trade of bean products Immediate Outcome 4.1: Increased access to skills, information and knowledge providing enabling environment for bean research and developmentItem High-yielding Climate-resilient beans improve food security and kick-start business in Zimbabwe(Other, 2020-08) Pan-Africa Bean Research AllianceAgriculture used to be at the center of Zimbabwe’s economy, accounting for about 20% of GDP. But it has since declined to about 10%, since the introduction of the land reform bill. The government has been intensifying efforts to prioritize the sector until 2020. The mostly rural population depend on agriculture, which provides 60-70% of the population with income. Yet smallholder farmers face significant challenges. Low and erratic rainfall, drought, low and declining soil fertility result in widespread poverty and recurring food insecurity. Chronic malnutrition and stunting remain major threats, where less than 10 percent of children aged 6–24 months consume the minimal acceptable diet. Beans as a staple crop provide important protein and can improve income and food security. Yet production dropped 67% between 2010 and 2015, with drought, disease and lack of technology, combined with the transition from large-scale commercial farming to a small scale cropping following land reform in the country, hitting communities hard. The flagship project: “Improving food security, nutrition, incomes, natural resource base and gender equity for better livelihoods of smallholder households in sub-Saharan Africa,” between 2015 and 2020 supported by the Swiss Agency for Development Corporation (SDC) and Global Affairs Canada (GAC), sought to rectify this drop. Partnership between the government’s Department of Research and Specialist Services (DR&SS) and private companies boosted volumes of high-quality seed of high-yielding, climate resilient and market preferred bean varieties from 520 tons in 2015 to 1,840 tons in 2019. Quality bean seed was more available to 1,110,485 farmers in 2019, who also now have better links with markets, more opportunities to sell beans and a better understanding of crop management options like fertilizer use which can increase yields. Project partners have also worked with national researchers to strengthen capacity, ensuring more beans are bred to withstand local challenges like drought, while educating communities of their benefits and scaling up their seed production and access.Item Bean technology adoption and its impact on smallholder farmers’ productivity, bean consumption; and food security: Evidence from Zimbabwe(Report, 2020-07) Katungi, Enid M.; Kalemera, Sylvia Monica; Mutua, Mercy M.; Maereka, Enock Kuziwa; Chirwa, Rowland; Chimboza, Denford; Onyango, Patricia; Buruchara, Robin Arani; Rubyogo, Jean-Claude; Mutari, Bruce; Hodzi, Jonathan; Muhera, Shumirayi; Chisoro Chengwe, Nyarai; Mashiri, Patience; Gutsa, Freeman; Chiwawa, Andrew; Makotore, Walter; Gamu, Fungai F.Item How beans are beating hunger in Burundi(Other, 2020-08) Pan-Africa Bean Research AllianceBurundi’s population has been expanding far faster than its economy. And while the agriculture sector contributes around 40% of GDP and to over 95% of food supplies, high pressure on land is leading to soil fertility depletion, eroding the country’s capacity to ramp up food production for a growing population. The Flagship project: “Improving food security, nutrition, incomes, natural resource base and gender equity for better livelihoods of smallholder households in sub-Saharan Africa” between 2015 and 2020, sought to boost bean production and yields as a staple crop. Already an important food crop in the country, beans provide 50% of daily protein and 20% of calories. Improved bean varieties with high levels of iron and zinc also alleviate micronutrient deficiencies particularly in children and women. Beans also help farmers threatened by climate change to stagger food supply through harsher seasons, with edible leaves and pods allowing growers to sell or store dry beans. While bean volumes rank only after sweet potato and bananas in the country, lowyielding varieties were grown on around half of all land. Yields also declined during periods of political instability between 1993 and 2005. However, in recent years, yields have recovered in part due to efforts of the Pan-Africa Bean Research Alliance and partners, releasing 23 climate resilient highyielding, nutrient rich and farmer preferred varieties between 2015 and 2019.Item Food security and common bean productivity: Impacts of improved bean technology adoption among smallholder farmers in Burundi(Report, 2020-07) Katungi, Enid M.; Nduwarigira, Eric; Ntukamazina, Nepomuscene; Niragira, Sanctus; Mutua, Mercy M.; Kalemera, Sylvia Monica; Onyango, Patricia; Nchanji, Eileen Bogweh; Fungo, Robert; Birachi, Eliud Abucheli; Rubyogo, Jean-Claude; Buruchara, Robin AraniItem Nutrition, Markets and Gender Analysis: An integrated approach towards alleviating malnutrition among vulnerable populations in Malawi(Report, 2020-06) Zulu, R.; Gichohi-Wainaina, Wanjiku N.; Fungo, R.; Birachi, Eliud Abucheli; Nchanji, Eileen Bogweh; Munthali, J.; Msere, H.; Kumwenda, N.; Mutua, Mercy M.; Buruchara, Robin Arani; Chirwa, R.; Rubyogo, Jean-Claude; Okori, PatrickItem Review of practice and possibilities for market-led interventions in Emergency Seed Security Response(Report, 2019-09-30) Walsh, Stephen; Sperling, LouiseItem Improved common bean varieties released from 1970 to 2013 by PABRA(Report, 2013) Pan-Africa Bean Research AllianceItem Study on cash transfers for seed security in humanitarian settings(Report, 2019) Keane, Jules; Brick, Dina; Sperling, LouiseThis study examines the barriers and opportunities for cash transfers to be used to address seed security in humanitarian situations. Cash, while not a new approach, has gained momentum in recent years, especially with the emergence of the Cash Learning Partnership (CaLP) and humanitarian organizations’ commitments through the Grand Bargain.2 Historically, direct seed distribution (DSD) has dominated agricultural responses in emergencies. While effective in many situations, other modalities of addressing farmers’ needs have also proven to be effective, including seed and voucher fairs and, increasingly, cash transfer responses. The latter response typically provides farmers greater choices to make decisions about their seed needs and preferences. However, as with direct distribution and vouchers, cash can be a viable option but may not always be appropriate in every situation. The quality of seed is of paramount importance in choosing a response and has been an ongoing (and often contentious and political) discussion for decades. The results of this study advocate for a multi- stakeholder perspective on the quality of seed, while offering farmers the most flexible and most appropriate response possible for their given situation. In some cases, this will be cash transfers, but certainly not in all cases. A range of options offers the best chance for a successful, responsive, and appropriate program. The evidence base on outcomes from using cash for seed in humanitarian contexts is limited, however, reviewing a series of examples shows the breadth and range of options that are being explored. The cases from an array of organizations and countries including Iraq, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Madagascar, and Guatemala, show that understanding the context is key to the response analysis and the choice of modality. Organizational approaches and previous experience also played a role in the choice of modality. The evidence to date shows that cash, in addition to complementary programming such as technical or business training, offers promise for seed security interventions. In addition, initiatives to support both the demand and supply side of the market have proven to be effective. Key findings include: 1. Market and needs assessments must include a seed component or SSSA to ensure a response designed to address the right problem, not the assumption. For markets, both informal and formal seed markets need to be included. 2. Good needs assessments, response analysis and program design help ensure participants’ spending cash on what implementers anticipate they will. 3. Program participants’ preferences on modalities are not consistently included in response analysis. 4. Mixed modalities (cash and vouchers, or cash and DSD) can broaden crop choices. 5. Quality screenings for seed are taking place; the quality of seed is important to organizations and project participants. 6. Cash for seed security interventions are limited, but growing in prevalence. 7. Providing cash plus complementary support is a promising practice for fostering seed security. 8. The nexus between relief and development is critical—designing projects with a longer-term development view: cash can prepare the way for farmers to continue true market engagement post-relief, spur business development in subsequent seasons, and offer opportunities for financial inclusion. 9. Supporting supply side to bring quality seed markets ‘closer’ to project participants should be considered along with demand-side interventions (cash, voucher and other). 10. Investment in preparedness provides a better foundation to implement impactful cash for seed security response. The risks, mitigating actions, opportunities and enablers for cash and seed security response are also explored. The study concludes with actionable and practical recommendations for further advancing the evidence base, as well as implementation suggestions. Continuous collaboration of key stakeholders in seed systems is essential to advance the discussions and action on the way forward with cash and seed systems.Item 2019 Annual report to Government of Canada: Improving Bean Production and Marketing in Africa (IBPMA)(Report, 2019) International Center for Tropical AgricultureItem Assessing the impact of the tropical legumes II & III project on common bean productivity, profitability and marketed surplus in southern highlands of Tanzania(Report, 2019) Katungi, Enid M.; Letaa, Emmanuel; Kabungo, Catherine; Ndunguru, Agness; Mukankusi, Clare Mugisha; Raatz, Bodo; Ssekamate, Allan; Rubyogo, Jean-ClaudeItem Adoption of soil carbon enhancing practices and their impact on farm output in Western Kenya(Working Paper, 2019-11) Karanja Ng'ang'a, Stanley; Anyango Jalang'o, Dorcas; Girvetz, Evan HartunianAdoption of soil carbon practices has the capability of increasing yield, thus improving income and food availability. This paper assessed the adoption of agricultural practices that enhance soil carbon. Data from 334 households were collected in the rural areas of Western Kenya using a multistage sampling technique. The multivariate probit model and propensity score matching method were used to analyze the determinants of adoption of soil carbon practices and the impact on output, respectively. Results show that agroforestry, intercropping, terracing, and the use of inorganic fertilizer are the dominant soil carbon practices, which are discretely and diversely affected by socioeconomic, farm-level, institutional, and biophysical characteristics. However, the adoption of maize-bean intercropping alone has a great impact on maize production and increases output by approximately 240 kilograms. The findings from this study suggest that the adoption capacity of farming households can be accelerated by independently making interventions targeting individual practices rather than compounding the practices. Consequently, emphasis should target interventions that encourage the adoption of intercropping since its economic impact has been evidently underlined.Item PABRA Narrative Cumulative Report 2015-2019(Report, 2019-03) Buruchara, Robin AraniItem Narrative Report: Tapping resilience for a stronger future 2015-2018.(Report, 2019) Pan-Africa Bean Research AllianceItem Tapping resilience for a Stronger Future: Success in Burundi and Zimbabwe(Report, 2019) Pan-Africa Bean Research AllianceItem The history of gender and plant breeding in CIAT/PABRA: where are we? And where are we going?(Report, 2018) Nchanji, Eileen BogwehItem Gender Gaps in Food Crop Production and Adaptation to Climate-Smart Technologies: The case of Western Highlands of Cameroon(Report, 2018) Bella N, Siri; Nchanji, Eileen Bogweh; Ndifon K, Dimanche; Nfor G, Wilson; Bernard, ChristianItem Uganda Brief 2018 - The African Seed Access Index(Report, 2018-06) Mabaya, Edward; Mugoya, Mainza; Mubangizi, Emmanuel; Ibyisintabyo, ChrisA competitive seed sector is key to ensuring timely availability of high quality seeds of improved, appropriate varieties at affordable prices to smallholder farmers in Uganda. This country brief summarizes the key findings of The African Seed Access Index (TASAI) study conducted to appraise the structure and economic performance of Uganda’s seed sector in 2017. With a focus on four grain and legume crops important to food security in Uganda — maize, beans, millet, and sorghum — the study evaluates the enabling environment for a vibrant formal seed sector. These four crops account for about 35% of arable land in Uganda (FAOSTAT, 2017). The study covers 20 indicators divided into the following categories: Research and Development, Industry Competitiveness, Seed Policy and Regulations, Institutional Support, and Service to Smallholder Farmers. Appendix 1 summarizes all 20 indicators and compares Uganda to 12 other countries where similar studies were conducted. TASAI seeks to encourage public policymakers and development agencies to create and maintain enabling environments that will accelerate the development of competitive formal seed systems serving smallholder farmers.