Abstract
BackgroundNavy bean is an important legume crop in Zimbabwe. Although its production in Zimbabwe is limited by multiple constraints including biotic, abiotic and socio-economic, there is no documented evidence. Thus, this study aimed at identifying farmers’ production constraints, preferred traits and cultivars of navy bean, and strategies used to mitigate some of these constraints.MethodsA Participatory Rural Appraisal approach involving transect walks, focus group discussions (FGDs), and formal surveys with semi-structured questionnaires was conducted in four villages of the Lowveld region of Zimbabwe. In each of the four villages, two FGDs (one for men and one for women) were conducted. A total of 176 (75 males and 101 females) navy bean-growing households were interviewed. Data from household interviews and FGDs was analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Scientists computer package.ResultsThe most important constraints to navy bean production were drought stress (Females—86%, Males—73%), heat stress (Females—58%, Males—55%), power outages (Females—46%, Males—54%), poor soil fertility (Females—32%; Males—33%) and susceptibility to pod shattering (Females—32%, Males—43%). Mitigation strategies included mulching (18%), ridges (12%), reduced acreage (11%), and cultivating to retain more soil moisture (11%) for drought stress, while irrigating at night (32%), and adjusting planting dates (29%) were used to manage heat stress. Farmer-preferred traits included tolerance to drought and heat, early maturing varieties and disease resistance. Marketing constraints included non-payment for produce in hard currency, lack of diversity in terms of off-takers, high inflation, low grain producer price, delayed payment and breach of contract by contractors.ConclusionThere will be increased adoption of improved navy bean cultivars if breeding programs address the aforementioned constraints and consider farmer-preferred traits when developing new cultivars. Breeders should work closely with extension officers to ensure that cultivars released are cultivated with appropriate agronomic packages for increased productivity and high adoption.
Highlights
Navy bean is an important legume crop in Zimbabwe
The objectives of this study were to (i) identify major navy bean marketing and production constraints, (ii) identify navy bean cultivars and traits that are preferred by farmers, (iii) assess the production system of navy bean and (iv) identify the strategies used by farmers to manage drought and heat stress and their combined implications for breeding navy bean cultivars for Zimbabwe
There were respondents above 70 years that were involved in navy bean production in all the areas surveyed
Summary
Navy bean is an important legume crop in Zimbabwe. its production in Zimbabwe is limited by multiple constraints including biotic, abiotic and socio-economic, there is no documented evidence. Common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is an important food and nutritional security pulse crop that provides a cheap source of vegetable proteins, micronutrients (iron and zinc, and vitamins) and dietary fibre [1] It serves as an income-generating crop thereby supporting many livelihoods, especially in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Income from contract farming (contractor provides inputs such as seed, fertilizers and chemicals) is used to cater for household needs, purchase livestock (goats and cattle), pay children’s school fees and for re-investment on the farm and other commercial enterprises [5] This is not documented, information gathered during various field days with navy bean farmers indicates that farmers retain around 10% of the produce for household consumption, and 90% is delivered to the processor for income generation [Personal observation, April 2019]. Preference for fast cooking foods and off-shelf products such as canned beans is expected to increase in Zimbabwe due to changes in eating habits (associated with urbanization), rising costs of cooking fuels and electricity
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