PABRA empowers Rwanda’s school nutrition with 3-tons High-Iron Bean seeds

By Yvonne Munyangeri, Eliud Birachi, Jean Claude Rubyogo

What if the key to better school performance, stronger communities, and healthier futures could start with a single bean seed? In Rwanda, that idea is becoming reality. As the government intensifies its efforts to improve nutrition through agriculture under its Fifth Strategic Plan for Agriculture Transformation (PSTA5), schools are emerging as the unexpected ground zero for change. Under the Sustainable School Feeding Innovations (SSFI) Initiative, the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT through Pan-Africa Bean Research Alliance (PABRA), in collaboration with national partners, has distributed over three tones of High Iron Bean (HIBs) seeds to 92 schools across five districts, marking a significant leap toward linking school meals with local, nutrition-rich crops.

SSFI, which is funded by Clifford Chance, seeks to promote nutrition-sensitive school feeding by strengthening schools’ capacity in bean production, nutrition awareness, and climate resilience. It is implemented in partnership with Ministry of Education (MINEDUC), the Ministry of Agriculture (MINAGRI), the City of Kigali, and the Heads of Schools Organization (HOSO).

These trainings extended beyond agriculture. They were designed to transform school communities through nutrition education, sustainable farming practices, and climate adaptation strategies. Based on findings from a 2023 Study on school gardens and feeding programs in Kigali, the training addressed gaps in knowledge related to bean nutrition, garden management, agricultural practices, and climate-smart approaches. Across two training sessions, one held at the Rwanda Education Board (REB) in Kigali and the other at Silent Hotel in Kayonza, 222 participants, including 53 percent women in Kigali and 22 percent in the Eastern Province, were equipped with practical tools and knowledge to bring meaningful change to their schools and surrounding communities.

Understanding the power of the bean value chain

To help participants understand the significance of beans beyond their role as a staple food in Rwanda, the training included detailed sessions on the bean value chain. With insights from experts at the Rwanda Agriculture Board (RAB), teachers learned about different bean varieties, particularly HIB, which are biofortified to combat iron deficiency and promote better health outcomes.

Through a combination of animations, video presentations from Scientific Animations Without Borders, and interactive lectures, participants were guided through the full lifecycle of bean cultivation. This included land preparation, seed selection, fertilizer use, pest and disease control, and post-harvest handling. For many educators who had limited exposure to farming techniques, this was an eye-opening experience that highlighted how agriculture can directly enhance student nutrition, academic performance, and community well-being.

Nutrition education: Beans as a school meal game-changer

In addition to the technical aspects of bean production, the training delved into the nutritional value of beans, especially for young children, women, and girls. Rich in protein, iron, and fiber, beans are a powerful tool for combating malnutrition, promoting child growth, and supporting cognitive development. Teachers engaged in group discussions where they shared experiences around school meals, including the practical challenges of preparing traditional dry beans, which often require excessive time, fuel, and water. These conversations led to a broader discussion on the need for efficient cooking methods that preserve nutrients while saving resources. Participants also explored the potential of using bean-based products, such as porridge flour and snacks made from High Iron Beans, to make school meals both healthier and more appealing.

Moreover, the training addressed how to identify and respond to nutrient deficiencies among children. Teachers learned about various forms of malnutrition, including stunting, underweight, obesity, and micronutrient deficiencies, and how to integrate this knowledge into school feeding and education efforts. These insights are expected to help schools ensure that meals served are not only adequate in quantity but also rich in essential nutrients.

“It is our duty [and] our collaborative efforts that will lead to the success of this initiative, ensuring that High Iron Beans are fed to kids in our schools, for their better health and for their improved nutrition,” stated Sam Ngabire, Home Grown School Feeding Coordinator at MINEDUC.

Building climate resilience in bean production

Climate resilience was another critical component of the training. With the impacts of climate change increasingly threatening agricultural productivity, the program emphasized climate-smart bean farming practices. Teachers were introduced to how changing temperatures, unpredictable rainfall, and extreme weather events are affecting bean yields and soil fertility. They also learned how these changes alter planting cycles and increase the risk of crop diseases, which in turn influence food availability in schools.

A key focus was on how to use climate information services, such as seasonal forecasts and early warning systems, to inform farming decisions. Participants were taught how to select bean varieties based on seasonal rainfall patterns and the crop’s water requirements and maturity period, to improve yields and resilience. One of the standout tools introduced was Hinga Smart, a digital platform offering agro-climate advisories. With this platform, schools can now access, interpret, and apply localized climate data to enhance their agricultural planning and adapt to environmental conditions.

Paul Bigirimana, the School Feeding Coordinator in Kayonza District, said that learning about these climate tools was particularly valuable, noting that given the high temperatures and inconsistent rainfall in the Eastern Province, platforms like Hinga Smart would significantly support schools in successfully growing HIBs.

“The Eastern province is the hottest in the country and rains are sometimes not regular. It was eye opening to know that we can use agroclimate advisories available that can help us successfully grow our beans. For Kayonza, we are ready to use acquired knowledge from this training to ensure high ion beans are produced successfully in our schools’ lands,” he remarked.

From theory to practice: Setting up demonstration plots

To ensure the training was translated into action, participants took part in practical sessions to set up demonstration plots. These exercises allowed them to apply what they had learned in real field conditions, including land preparation, row planting, and fertilizer application. This hands-on experience is vital, as each school is expected to implement its own demonstration plot during the September to December 2025 planting season.

For 52 schools in Kayonza and Rwamagana, each will plant 60 kilograms of HIB seeds on one hectare of land. Meanwhile, 40 schools in Kigali, constrained by limited space, will establish 100-square-meter plots using 700 grams of seeds per school. These school gardens will serve a dual purpose: they will provide a direct source of nutritious food while also functioning as practical learning environments for students, teachers, and local farmers to observe and adopt improved agricultural methods.

Seed distribution and knowledge sharing

In total, the program distributed 3.15 tons of HIBs seeds to the 92 participating schools. However, the initiative’s impact is expected to go far beyond the initial planting. These gardens are designed to become community learning hubs that encourage knowledge sharing and inspire wider adoption of nutrition-sensitive farming. Students, equipped with both practical experience and nutritional understanding, will carry these lessons home, effectively acting as ambassadors for improved agricultural and dietary practices. Teachers will be responsible for monitoring crop performance, documenting outcomes, and sharing successful methods with other schools. In the long term, the best-performing seeds will be stored for future seasons, and any surplus can be distributed to neighboring schools to expand access to improved bean varieties.

Looking forward, the SSFI project aligns with Rwanda’s broader vision to scale up its national school feeding program. Through this initiative, schools are now better positioned to promote locally sourced, biofortified foods in their meals, increase access to High Iron Beans, integrate agricultural and nutrition education into the school curriculum, and foster greater community involvement in sustainable farming practices. By also incorporating climate adaptation strategies into school agriculture, the program sets a foundation for resilience amid environmental changes.

Sister Marie Brigitte Zikora, the Finance Manager at Fawe Girls School in Gahini, expressed gratitude to The Alliance of Bioversity and CIAT and the Ministry of Education for organizing the training. She emphasized that the school is committed to ensuring the successful cultivation of High Iron Beans and looks forward to making them a regular part of student meals, recognizing that student well-being is a top priority.

As the 2025 SOND planting season begins, attention will shift toward supporting schools through ongoing monitoring and follow-up. The goal is to ensure that the knowledge gained is effectively applied and widely disseminated. When students grow what they eat and understand its importance, school gardens evolve from simple food sources into educational platforms, nutrition centers, and catalysts for community transformation. Through the Sustainable School Feeding Program, Rwandan schools are demonstrating that the path to better education begins with better nutrition.

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Cover Photo: School leaders proudly receive High Iron Bean seeds after completing the training

📸Yvonne Munyangeri