Bean technologies Toolkit

This toolkit is a collection of technologies designed to optimize bean cultivation across Africa. These technologies have been selected to address the challenges encountered in bean production, processing, and storage, ensuring a more resilient and profitable bean sector. By integrating these technologies into your projects or business plans, you can maximize yields while minimizing environmental impacts and reducing labor intensity. Each technology in the toolkit comes with the option to receive technical support, ensuring effective and sustainable implementation.

16 results

Trace: FairFood Traceability Solutions

Easy-to-use solution for food traceability Fairfood offers advanced tracking solutions through Trace technology, enabling agricultural and food-related companies to transparently showcase the exact origins of their products. This technology empowers companies to openly provide evidence supporting claims of product sustainability, facilitating transparency and accountability. Whether through public disclosure or inclusion on product packaging, Trace technology enhances trust by giving consumers verifiable insights into the journey and sustainability practices associated with the products they choose.


Government Pre-validated 9•7 2

Turbocrop: Field crop plant establishment biostimulant

Specialized biostimulant for root development and vegetative growth on field crops Turbocrop stands as a specialized biostimulant, strategically crafted to elevate root development and stimulate vegetative growth across crops. The formulation is tailored to fortify plants against abiotic stressors, encompassing extreme temperatures, drought conditions, and nutrient deficiencies. Its multifaceted benefits include enhanced root architecture, optimized nutrient utilization, and holistic support for robust plant growth, ultimately contributing to improved crop resilience and productivity.


Government Pre-validated 9•9 5 Cost: $$$

Soybean inoculant: Rhyzobium inoculant range, various strains

N-fixing bacteria to reduce chemical fertilizer use Stimuplant is an inoculant designed for diverse legume crops, leveraging a symbiotic association with Rhizobia bacteria. This unique collaboration enhances nitrogen levels in the soil, contributing 40 to 150 kg per hectare. Certified with CERES organic certification, Stimuplant ensures sustainable and organic farming practices. The innovative UPL powder carrier technology shields bacteria from harsh environmental conditions, providing extended shelf life (9 months) and offering practical packaging tailored for smallholder farmers. This multifaceted solution addresses nitrogen scarcity, promotes organic certification, and enhances the accessibility of inoculants for farmers.


Government Pre-validated 9•9 4 Cost: $$$ ROI: $$$

Mechanized Threshing Operations

Efficient Threshing for Productive Farms Mechanized Threshing Operations is a technology that efficiently separates seeds or grain from harvested plants. It addresses the labor-intensive process of manual threshing, particularly performed by women. Mechanized threshers use small petrol engines to process seeds and grain rapidly, offering a significant improvement in efficiency.


Government Validated (TAAT1) 8•8 4

IPM: Integrated Management of Insects, Diseases and Weeds in common bean

Smart Solutions for Safer Farming The technology "Integrated Management of Insects, Diseases, and Weeds" is of paramount importance that addresses several critical issues in Pest and Disease Vulnerability, Inappropriate Pesticide Usage, Pesticide Resistance, Food Security Concerns, Environmental Impact. The technology provides a solution through integrates various biological, mechanical, physical, and cultural methods to achieve more effective and sustainable crop protection. IPM is a vital strategy to combat the challenges posed by pests and diseases, ensuring food security, and promoting responsible agricultural practices.


Government Validated (TAAT1) 7•7 4 Cost: $$$

Advanced Weed Management: Mechanical and Chemical Weed Management

Weed Management for Optimal Yield The "Mechanical and Chemical Weed Management" technology is a game-changer for bean farmers, especially in regions like Sub-Saharan Africa. Weeds can cause major losses in bean crops, and this technology offers a more efficient and cost-effective solution compared to manual weeding. By using herbicides and mechanical weeders, farmers can save time, increase their yield, and ultimately improve their income. This innovation is a powerful tool in ensuring food security and economic stability for bean farmers in various African countries.


Government Validated (TAAT1) 7•8 7 ROI: $$$

Low-Cost Staking for Climbing Beans

Empowering Beans, Sustaining Growth! The technology is a low-cost and sustainable solution for staking climbing beans, offering lower-cost, environmentally friendly alternatives, reducing the required number of stakes and addressing yield limitations associated with traditional staking methods.


Government Validated (TAAT1) 8•8 4 Cost: $$$

Specialty Fertilizer Blends for Common Bean

Boost your Bean Production Yield In Sub-Saharan Africa, common bean production faces challenges due to poor soil nutrient availability. To address this issue, specialized fertilizer blends designed for common beans offer a balanced mix of nutrients, including phosphorus, potassium, sulfur, and sometimes starter nitrogen, tailored to soil conditions and crop needs. These custom blends, combined with the right application timing and methods, significantly boost common bean productivity, nitrogen fixation, and resilience to environmental stressors, ultimately leading to improved yields and crop quality. This technology plays a vital role in enhancing food security and income for bean farmers in the region.


Government Validated (TAAT1) 1

Low-dose pest control: Seed dressing of Seed with Fungicide and Insecticide

Pest control for optimum yields The "Seed Dressing with Fungicide and Insecticide" technology is crucial in mitigating yield losses in common beans caused by fungal diseases like anthracnose and insect pests such as stem maggots in Africa. These issues significantly impact crop productivity and jeopardize the profitability of improved varieties and fertilizer inputs for farmers. The use of chemical control agents in seed dressing offers an affordable and eco-friendly approach to prevent losses and boost production. This method, utilizing minimal pesticides, facilitates better seedling emergence and enhances the crop's resistance throughout the growing season, thereby aiding in maintaining and improving common bean yields in the face of prevalent diseases and pests.


Government Validated (TAAT1) 7•8 6

Seed Inoculation with Rhizobia

Boosting Crops, Nourishing Communities In agriculture, the introduction of seed inoculation with elite rhizobium strains has emerged as a pivotal development. This technology effectively addresses the nitrogen limitations often constraining legume productivity, offering small-scale farmers in Africa a cost-effective means to boost legume production, which is vital for their food, nutrition, and income. By harnessing biological nitrogen fixation, this innovation helps bridge the nutrient gap and plays a significant role in enhancing agricultural sustainability and livelihoods.


Government Validated (TAAT1) 7•7 4 Cost: $$$

Climbing Bean with High Yield and N Fixation

Growing Prosperity: Climbing Beans for Food Security & Income Growth Climbing Bean with High Yield and N Fixation Technology improved bean varieties in Eastern and Southern Africa, by increasing yields compared to bush types beans, contributing to food security and higher incomes for farmers. These improved climbing bean varieties are resistant to common pests and diseases, reducing the need for chemical interventions. They can withstand various environmental stresses, enhancing their adaptability to different conditions. The technology promotes higher biological nitrogen fixation in climbing beans, reducing the cost for farmers and enabling cultivation in nitrogen-depleted soils. The adoption of these climbing bean varieties by small-scale farmers in Africa not only addresses hunger and malnutrition but also significantly improves their livelihoods.


Government Validated (TAAT1) 8•7 4

Bean Flour and Flour Products: Bean processing process

Bean Flour Made Easy The technology of producing bean flour and flour products is of paramount significance, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa. It addresses the challenges posed by the time and energy required for traditional bean preparation, making it more appealing to urban consumers. This innovation not only facilitates the creation of a wide range of processed and ready-to-eat products but also serves as a crucial first step in their production. By using bean flour, homemakers can save substantial time and reduce fuel costs when compared to the traditional method of lengthy boiling. Additionally, it enhances the bioavailability of essential vitamins and micronutrients in food products derived from beans.


Government Validated (TAAT1) 7•7 3 Cost: $$$

Pre-Cooked Beans for Consumer Convenience

Advanced approach for quick, convenient, and delicious bean "Pre-Cooked Beans for Consumer Convenience" is a food processing technology designed to address the long cooking time, high energy, and water requirements associated with whole dried common beans, which are a major staple food in eastern and southern Africa. This technology involves pre-cooking the beans and then preserving them through methods like canning or freezing. This significantly reduces preparation time and fuel use, making it more appealing to urban and middle-class consumers. It also opens up new commercial opportunities, benefiting both consumers and farmers. The technology is particularly advantageous for women homemakers and canteen caterers, as it frees up time for other activities. The process involves sorting, washing, blanching, soaking, sterilization, and drying of the beans before packaging. The technology can be applied in various agroecologies and is available in several countries in Africa.


Government Validated (TAAT1) 7•7 4

HIB varieties: Biofortified Beans for Improved Nutrition

Fueling Health with Iron-Rich Beans In Sub-Saharan Africa, poor nutrition, particularly iron and zinc deficiencies, poses significant health challenges. Iron deficiency leads to anemia, developmental issues, and adverse pregnancy outcomes, while zinc deficiency weakens the immune system. The consumption of biofortified high-iron bean varieties enhances micronutrient intake, leading to improved health. Biofortification, achieved through conventional breeding or biotechnological methods, plays a vital role in increasing nutritional value. The recent introduction of biofortified high-iron bean (HIB) varieties represents a promising technology to enhance nutritional security and overall human health.


Government Validated (TAAT1) 8•7 2

Hello Tractor: Contract mechanization apps

Enhance crop productivity, reduce labour costs, and increase incomes with Hello Tractor - the digital platform revolutionizing agricultural mechanization in Sub-Saharan Africa. In Sub-Saharan Africa, the rental of mechanized agricultural equipment like sensors, robots, and tractors to farmers by service companies and private owners is increasing. However, small-scale producers face challenges in accessing these technologies due to information gaps, high costs, and operational risks. Phone applications and data systems offer solutions by enabling contractors to make informed decisions, increase cost-effectiveness, and accelerate business growth. Hello Tractor, a power equipment sharing application, exemplifies this innovation. It connects tractor owners and smallholder farmers, facilitating collaborative consumption through a marketplace where farmers can request and pay for services via SMS and mobile wallets. Data supports various functions, including credit scoring, market intelligence, risk management, and flexible loan repayment structures tailored to crop production seasons and cash flows.


Government Validated (TAAT1) 7•8 4 Cost: $$$

PICS: Hermetic Bags for Safe Storage of grain

Low cost storage technologies for grain Large post-harvest losses of bean occurs across Sub-Sahara Africa because of improper storage techniques resulting in pest infestation that threatens the food security and livelihoods of farmers. As a result, farmers may opt to sell their produce immediately after harvest when market prices are at their lowest as a risk avoidance strategy. Grain storage pests such as weevils (bruchids) can be controlled by physical, chemical and biological methods. Some of the physical methods include use of hermitic storage bags and containers. The hermetic storage technology for grains avoids grain damage using sealed bags that prevents movement of air and moisture. The bags preserve the quality of grains and obstruct the entry of insects and microbial organisms through depletion of oxygen levels and accumulation of carbon dioxide. These conditions prevent damage by insects like weevils, moths and mites, curb development of fungi like aflatoxin that contaminate the grain, and maintain the taste and color characteristics of food. Hermitic bags allow for storage of grain without the need to apply chemicals.


Government Validated (TAAT1) 9•9 5 Cost: $$$ ROI: $$$