By Napoleon Kajunju, Lydie Mulonda, Julie Ntamwinja, Paulin Njingulula, Hosny Dunia, Lucky Kalisya, Bola Amoke Awotide
Between July and August 2024, South Kivu Province in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) became the epicenter of a transformative training initiative under the Beans for Women Empowerment (B4WE) project. This training initiative, centered on nutrition education and Social Behavioral Change Communication (SBCC), is designed for farmer organizations, women’s cooperatives, and primary and secondary school teachers.
The B4WE project, funded by Global Affairs Canada (GAC) and coordinated by the Pan-Africa Bean Research Alliance (PABRA) under the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT, aims to enhance food security and promote the nutritional benefits of beans in both urban and rural communities. In partnership with prominent national organizations such as INERA, PRONANUT, Directorate of Provincial Education (PROVED), SENASEM, SNV, and local stakeholders, the project equips beneficiaries with vital knowledge through targeted training sessions. This collaborative approach fosters sustainable nutrition practices, empowering communities and driving positive, long-term change.
Engaging women for empowerment
The primary beneficiaries of the training sessions were members of women’s cooperatives, who have historically played a crucial role in household nutrition but often lacked formal training in agriculture and nutrition. Julie Ntamwinja, Gender Specialist for the B4WE project, worked closely with project partners to successfully mobilize these women for what became a transformative experience. Conducted in Luvungi and Murhesa within South Kivu province, the training sessions empowered 139 women with vital knowledge on the nutritional benefits of beans, biofortification, agronomy, gender equality, and land rights, bridging the gap between agriculture and nutrition. This initiative enabled the participants to become advocates for healthy dietary practices within their families and communities.
Total | Men | Women | |
Training of teachers from Kabare and Uvira on nutrition and SBCC in Murhesa | 28 | 21 | 8 |
Training of seed multipliers on nutrition in Murhesa | 69 | 40 | 39 |
Training of cooperatives members on nutrition in Luvungi | 110 | 18 | 92 |
Total | 207 | 79 | 139 |
In Luvungi, for example, members of women’s cooperatives explored the benefits of bean-based diets for family health. Using a participatory approach, facilitators led by Napoleon Kajunju, Senior Research Associate at the Alliance, conducted interactive sessions that equipped the women with practical skills for preparing diverse bean-based recipes. These sessions emphasized the nutritional value of beans, particularly biofortified varieties enriched with iron and zinc. The enthusiasm among participants was unmistakable, with many pledging to integrate the newly learned techniques into their cooking routines and to share this valuable knowledge with others in their communities.
Practical learning through demonstration plots
At the end of August 2024, teachers and schools’ headmasters from Luvungi and Kabare met in Murhesa for a transformative two-day workshop on nutrition, biofortification, Social Behaviour Change Communication (SBCC), and gender. Roger Ndiruhirwe from PRONANUT deepened participants’ knowledge of nutrition, food security, and the nutritional benefits of biofortified beans, underscoring their potential to address malnutrition with rich sources of protein, iron, and zinc. The workshop emphasized SBCC techniques to encourage the adoption of biofortified foods in local diets, then later shifted focus to practical applications, beginning with a review of integrating nutrition into the national curriculum.
The teachers also discussed pathways linking agriculture to nutrition, explaining how rural food systems impact dietary diversity and food security. Finally, Lydie Mulonda (Senior Research Associate – Seed systems) detailed the benefits of quality seeds and best agronomic practices, discussing high-quality yields that support both community health and economic growth. This training was an opportunity to empower educators with knowledge and tools to drive impactful change, from classroom lessons to community nutrition and health initiatives. To backstop this training, the B4WE team decided to organize practical training and learning experience, including demonstration plots in some pilot schools selected among the 13 by the PROVED.
School-based demonstration plots provide valuable opportunities for students and teachers to engage in hands-on learning about bean production and farm management techniques. A recent installation at the Institut Technique de Bugabo (ITB), one of 13 schools trained in Bukavu, highlights how nutrition-focused agricultural education can drive meaningful change within school communities. These demonstration plots are integral to a broader initiative aimed at equipping young people, particularly girls, with practical agricultural skills to foster empowerment and sustainability.
The activity engaged 25 agronomy students at ITB Bugabo, including 13 girls, ensuring a strong emphasis on gender balance. Additionally, four teachers participated, with the benefits expected to extend to the school’s 474 students (242 female and 232 male). This inclusive approach aims to promote intergenerational knowledge sharing while enhancing gender inclusion in agricultural education.
Through demonstration plots, the B4WE team focuses on educating students about establishing and managing these plots while equipping teachers with the technical expertise required for their upkeep. This initiative also advocates for the adoption of climate-smart agriculture by introducing resilient, high-yielding bean varieties tailored to local nutritional needs, thus creating the awareness and laying a sustainable foundation for future food security.
Through theoretical and practical sessions, participants learned about the concepts and benefits of demonstration plots, which serve as living laboratories for observing the impacts of innovative agricultural practices. The introduction of climate-resilient bean varieties supports the local community’s adaptation to changing environmental conditions. The six varieties distributed—such as Akajone, Musengo, and SCR 26—were selected for their resilience and high productivity, meeting market demands while enhancing nutrition and food security.

Alliance’s Lydie Mulonda (in orange outfits) poses with students from ITB after the demo plot installation
Looking Ahead
Following this series of activities, the B4WE team will continue to support ITB Bugabo and other pilot schools by monitoring the progress of the demonstration plots and providing ongoing assistance. So far, the project has distributed 0.7 kg of seeds per 70 m² plot in each of the four pilot schools in South Kivu for demonstration purposes, supporting an additional 52 demo plots established by farmers in the community. By integrating gender-sensitive and nutrition-focused agricultural education into school curricula, the B4WE project is laying a solid foundation for future leaders in sustainable agriculture and nutrition.
These demonstration plots represent an innovative step toward fostering nutritional behavior change, equipping students with lifelong skills, and transforming the region’s bean economy. The experiences from South Kivu underscore the power of knowledge transfer and the essential roles that women, farmers, and teachers play in ensuring food security and nutrition at both household and community levels. Through the empowerment of women and youth via nutrition education and practical training, the B4WE project is enhancing livelihoods while fostering healthier, more resilient communities.