Unleashing Systematic Bean Seed Production for Sustainable Future

By Yohane Chideya, Eunice Magwaya, Adon Phiri, Evance Chizula, Wilson Nkhata & Jean Claude Rubyogo

At the core of Africa’s agricultural scene, the power of high-quality common bean seeds holds the key to transforming yields for farmers of all sizes. Yet, for years, both small-scale and large-scale farmers have grappled with a persistent challenge: a lack of access to superior bean seed varieties. This has further been compounded by minimal investment from private seed companies, which stifles the growth of agricultural productivity across the continent.

However, the situation in Malawi is changing. Agricultural producers, government agencies, research institutions, and private stakeholders are coming together to enhance seed production and distribution. The Southern Africa Accelerated Innovation Delivery Initiative (AID-I) Rapid Delivery Hub has been a key component of Feed the Future’s efforts to strengthen local seed systems over the past three years. Supported through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), this initiative has been providing essential extension and advisory services on bean seed production to both small-scale and large-scale farmers.

The International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) and the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT, through the Pan-Africa Bean Research Alliance (PABRA), are spearheading the AID-I agenda in Malawi, as well as in Zambia and Tanzania. By collaborating with key stakeholders across the bean value chain to enhance seed quality and availability, this initiative is ensuring that farmers have access to improved varieties that can boost yields and contribute to food security in the long run.

Partnerships for boosting bean seed multiplication

Seed Co Malawi, one of the commercial seed producers, that have been at the centre of these efforts. Growing high-quality NUA45 certified bean seed on 56 hectares of land at Chimwamkango Estate in Mchinji District, the company expects a return of 112 tons. After harvesting, the seed will be certified by Malawi government’s Seed Systems Unit, packaged in one kilograme packets, and sold at affordable prices to at least 100,000 smallholder farmers across Malawi through the company’s retail network.

Thanks to the great collaboration with the Alliance, which has been centred around ensuring the sustainability of seed production by engaging local farmers and providing technical support, Seed Co has benefited significantly from series of trainings provided by PABRA, which have been focused on improved agronomic practices, such as fertilizer application, pesticide usage, and effective planting techniques to ensure optimal production.

Seed Co is not the only partner in this quest to expand bean seed production. Just outside Lilongwe town at Namitete location, Duncan McPherson-owned McPherson Farm, has also seen significant growth in breeder seed production since the first year of the AID-I initiative. The farm has expanded its operations to include the production of both parent seed and certified seed. In 2024 alone, it has successfully produced 32 tons of bean seed across a 42-hectare plot. McPherson’s vision includes supporting smallholder farmers in expanding their operations and cultivating larger plots of land, ultimately contributing to the overall growth of Malawi’s agricultural sector.

New bean trials to diversify seed production

Climatic shocks, such as droughts, floods, and temperature fluctuations, pose significant challenges to agriculture in Africa, particularly for staple crops like common beans. These conditions can severely impact yields, threaten food security, and affect farmers’ livelihoods. In response, researchers, companies, and agricultural organizations are working diligently to develop climate-resilient common bean varieties capable of withstanding diverse climatic conditions across the continent. Efforts focus on creating varieties that exhibit traits such as drought tolerance, disease resistance, and the ability to thrive in poor soil. In Malawi, advanced breeding techniques, including marker-assisted selection and genetic modification, are being employed to expedite this process.

With support from the Growth Poles Project, PABRA and various seed companies have conducted trials to release new bean varieties in Lilongwe, Kasungu, Zomba, Mchinji, Chikwawa, and Balaka Districts. Sixty varieties—30 sugar beans and 30 navy beans—sourced from Colombia, South Africa, and Malawi are being tested across different regions of Malawi. Notable varieties include Bounty, Ranjonomby, and those bred at Chitedze. Funded by Feed the Future/USAID and the Irish Government through Palladium, these efforts aim to identify higher-performing varieties that can yield up to 5.5 tons per hectare, replacing many existing cultivars.

Early observations from winter trials conducted in various regions of Malawi, indicate that certain varieties have performed exceptionally well in specific areas, owing to favourable climatic conditions, effective management practices such as proper fertilizer application, consistent irrigation, and the presence of fertile soils.

Happy Mbemba, an Agronomist at Seed Co Malawi, noted that the progress made on both certified seed production and bean trials, demonstrates the power of innovation in research. “We anticipate that our efforts will significantly transform the bean seed system. We aim to have these new bean lines certified and registered,” said Mbemba.

Partners’ visitation and appreciation

On September 11, 2024, a delegation from USAID, CIMMYT and Growth Poles, toured SeedCo’s farm to appreciate how the company has been managing the certified seed production in Mchinji and the new bean trials. This was followed by another visit by other partners such as Agricane, Milele Agro-processors, Good Nature Agro on October 11, to ascertain challenges encountered.

Rob Bertram, Chief Scientist in USAID’s Bureau for Resilience and Food Security, accompanied by Elizabeth Venable, Deputy Chief of Party for Growth Poles, was impressed during their September visit by the progress and collaborative spirit among key players in Malawi’s bean value chain, all working towards addressing bean seed deficits.

“The work being done here is impressive. It has taken some great efforts from implementing partners to put this on the right track. It is our sincere wish that with these collaborated efforts, Malawi is on the track of improving overall bean farming,” said Bertram.

Way forward and future endevours

Data analysis will be conducted after harvest to evaluate the performance of the 60 varieties during the winter trials, focusing on early maturity, yield tonnage, disease resistance, and other variables across different locations. Trials will continue in the 2024/25 rainy season to assess how these varieties perform in the same areas when the rains are in full swing.

Following testing, Participatory Variety Selection will follow, allowing stakeholders in the bean value chain to vote for their preferred varieties for adoption in various parts of Malawi. As some varieties have already been released in other countries under SADC region protocols, this process is likely to expedite their release in Malawi.

Other partners, including Laurie Muggleton, Manager at McPherson Farm, emphasized the importance of conducting soil testing to validate fertilizer application and balance soil nutrients. They also highlighted the potential benefits of using soil inoculants to enhance crop performance.

Bruce Carruthers, Managing Director of Agricane, whose company hosted similar bean trials in Chikwawa—a district known for its extreme temperatures reaching up to 37°C—observed: “Our location featured virgin soil, which greatly contributed to our success, along with the availability of furrow water for pivot irrigation. Fertilizer application also played a key role in achieving good yields. The only drawback is that fertilizer is currently extremely expensive in Malawi. In my observation, winter in Chikwawa yields higher legume production compared to the rainy season.”

Wilson Nkhata, Southern Africa Bean Research Network (SABRN) Coordinator, highlighted the importance of effective seed management before planting, during growth, and after harvesting as a catalyst for achieving good yields.

He said: “Good seed management plays a critical role; with proper handling, seeds are likely to perform well across various regions. We need to engage more partners through Growth Poles to enhance this effort. There is also possibility of exclusive rights for partners, so it is a unique arrangement.”

Justus Chintu, National Coordinator of Legume Research at Malawi’s Department of Agricultural Research Services, emphasized the importance of involving small-scale farmers in this initiative for sustainability.

He stated, “We are living in exciting times, as there is immense potential to produce high quality legumes like common beans. New technologies, such as these trials, are critical in this effort. Having partners supporting such innovations represents a significant positive development.”