Kumasi: Researchers at the Crops Research Institute of the Council Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR-CRI) have provided practical training and guidance for producing common bean seeds to students of the Kwadaso Agricultural College. The objective was to equip the students with skills and knowledge of the necessary production steps, while encouraging some of them to specialize in growing the seeds, trade in the grain or process them for sale after school.
According to Ghana News Agency, the Common Bean, scientifically known as Phaseolus vulgaris, is among the major industrial and food crops grown worldwide for its main iron and zinc nutrients, as well as protein, calories, vitamins, and minerals. The Common Bean is one of the cash crops for Eastern and Southern African countries. For countries in West Africa, Ghana and Cameroon are the main producers, and for economic purposes, farmers into common bean production accrue huge profits.
Dr. Emmanuel Asamoah Adjei, a Seed Scientist from CSIR-CRI, speaking during the exercise, highlighted the growing market for common bean in Ghana, which is currently being fueled by importation. He expressed optimism that local production could significantly reduce the import bill. The CRI has already released four varieties of the beans that are high in iron, early maturing, high yielding, and suitable for all ecological zones in Ghana. These varieties include Ennepa, Semanhyia, Nsroma, and Adoye, which have been processed into products such as soy milk and canned beans by the Research Institute.
Dr. Adjei further mentioned that new common bean varieties with up to 90 percent iron content and the ability to withstand drought and heat would be released soon. The CSIR-CRI has initiated the 'Developing and Deploying Drought Tolerant High Iron Bean Varieties that fit the Legume-Rice Crop Rotation in Ghana' Project. This two-year program promotes sustainable farming through the development and dissemination of rice-bean cropping systems.
During the training, Dr. Adjei instructed students on land selection for common beans, recommending flat loamy-sandy land, viable seeds for planting, and the application of urea or poultry manure 14 days after planting. Mr. Albert Appiah Amoako, Principal of the Kwadaso Agricultural College, praised the CRI for collaborating with the institution to create economic pathways for students in bean production.
