Nyagatare District has been commended for growing iron-rich beans on a large scale, compared to the rest of the country. Harvest Plus, in conjunction with Rwanda Agriculture Board (Rab), supports the High Iron Beans for Improved Human nutrition project in Rwanda. The bean varieties have higher concentrations of iron and zinc that help deal with malnutrition in rural settings. They also help prevent deficiencies, mainly among children and pregnant mothers. Speaking at a sensitisation workshop on the importance of eating the bean variety, Lister Katsvairo, Harvest Plus country manager, said farmers in the district were earning a lot of money from growing the beans. “The beans are rich in iron which helps reduce malnutrition among children and pregnant mothers. Farmers in Nyagatare have turned these beans into a cash crop,” he said. Lister said Harvest Plus was using artistes to help sensitise the public to grow and consume the beans. “We are using artistes in the campaign. They are opinion leaders. A single song may reach out to millions of people,” he said. Artistes such as Miss Jojo, King James, Urban Boys and Riderman took part. “We can also sing songs that promote agriculture and farming. It is an interesting experience that exposes us to social responsibilities,” Miss Jojo told The New Times. Meanwhile, the district’s vice-mayor in charge of economic affairs, Stanley Muganwa, said the government encouraged land consolidation and land reclamation through the digging of radical terraces, and introduced specific projects that critically handle the land and watershed husbandry. “Our aim has been to help our communities to be self-reliant. So, with this type of beans, households with a small area of land for cultivation can afford to access enough nutritious food to lead decent lives,” he said. The campaign started in Nyanza District in September.It targets about 30, 000 people in five districts namely Nyanza, Rusizi, Gatsibo, Nyagatare and Kirehe. It also features an exhibition and sale of the high iron bean varieties and vitamin A maize cobs set to be introduced on the market in the near future.
