ISU Initiatives for Grain Pulses in Uganda and Rwanda

The nutritional value and marketability of the common bean, one of the main staples in Uganda and Rwanda will be improved through the technical support of the Iowa State University (ISU). A $450,000 grant from the U.S. Agency for International Development will be used in testing whether yield improving technologies will result in better nutritive value or processing characteristics of the bean. The project which will run for 3 years is expected to significantly improve yields and quality of bean varieties, enhance nutritional value and marketability, and increase marketing and consumption of beans and value-added bean products. These will immensely contribute to sustainable livelihoods that would provide food security and income to the small scale farmers and their families.

Robert Mazur, director of the Center of Sustainable Rural Livelihoods in ISU and lead investigator of the project, is optimistic of the program's success and in meeting the Millennium Development Goals of reducing hunger and poverty. These projects can be potential models for other parts of the sub-Saharan African where beans or pulses, are an integral part of the traditional cropping systems.

For details, see press release at: http://www.ag.iastate.edu/aginfo/news_detail.php?var1=396