The Standard ­ Thursday
Date: 28.07.2016
Page 30
Article size: 112 cm2
ColumnCM: 24.88
AVE: 59733.33
New bean varieties for
Western region unveiled
KAKAMEGA
By JOHN SHILITSA
compared to ordinary varieties.
"These varieties mature in 60­65
days and give a farmer between seven
to nine bags per acre," Mr Egala said.
Besides, the new beans have a
New bean varieties that mature
early, give high yields and are toler­
ant to dry spells are now available to
farmers from Western region.
The four varieties are Katuma­
ni Bean 9­Gacuma, Katumani x­69,
KAT­B 1­Kathika and KATX­56.
The Kenya Agriculture Livestock
and Research Organisation, in col­
sweet taste and contain less gas when
cooked.
"They are highly tolerant to heat
and can be inter­cropped because
they grow well under tree shades,"
said Egala.
However, timely planting is crucial
and sowing should be done at the on­
set of the rains, according to experts.
"Farmers need to prepare the soil
laboration with Bio­resources Inno­
vations Network for Eastern Africa
two to four weeks before the start of
Development and other partners, de­
veloped the new varieties.
decompose fully before the seed are
Speaking to journalists in Kakame­
ga, Andrew Egala from Bio­resources
Innovations Network for Eastern Af­
rica Development said breeding the
the rains to allow organic materials to
sown," said Rural Information and Ag­
riculture Development Centre Direc­
tor Simon Wesechere.
According to Egala, the new seed
new varieties followed thorough re­
search and feasibility studies that
varieties are meant to help farmers
found the project viable in Western
poverty.
Kenya.
According to him, the seeds have
a high ability to germinate and are re­
sistant to diseases and pest damage
fight food insecurity and alleviate
"Most of grains consumed here are
imported from Uganda. It is important
to inter­crop beans and sugarcane to
increase earnings," he said.
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