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[Background] [Production] [Seed Production and Distribution Channels]
[The Profitability of Beans] [Bean Scientists in Central America] [References]

Background

Beans are a traditional part of the diet in Central America, and along with maize, often form the main food source of the poor. In 1998, the average per capita consumption was reported to be 11 kilos per person per year. However, it varies greatly from country to country and depending on the economic level of the consumer (CORECA, 1999). Within the category of basic grains, beans are second only to maize in area planted, and are the number one source of farm income (Viana, 1998).

Although traditionally grown for subsistence, the common bean has in recent decades found sizable markets as Central Americans have flocked to cities. Rapid growth of demand in cities has created new cash-earning opportunities for the small farmers who grow beans. Because of the high protein content and generous amounts of dietary fiber, complex carbohydrates, and other dietary essentials in beans, nutritionists characterize them as a "near-perfect food." A single serving provides at least half the US Department of Agriculture's recommended daily allowance of folic acid (a B vitamin that is especially important for pregnant women), 25-30 percent of the daily recommended iron levels, 25 percent of the daily requirements of magnesium and copper, and 15 percent of potassium and zinc (Schoonhoven and Pachico, 1998). Their nutritional advantages make them particularly beneficial in the diets of women and children.

In the mid-1970's, CIAT and its national partners embarked on intensive breeding programs to develop a wide array of new bean varieties that would offer farmers distinct advantages even under so-called "low-input" conditions. To accomplish this, bean breeders placed particular emphasis on genetic resistance to combinations of widespread diseases, principally common bacterial blight, bean common mosaic, bean golden mosaic, anthracnose, and angular leaf spot. They also selected for higher yields under drought and low soil fertility, especially low phosphorus. Another goal was early maturity, which would enable farmers to fit the bean crop more easily into complex cropping systems. Through this effort, CIAT has, in the past 10 years, sent 7861 materials to the region, comprising germplasm, segregating populations, families, and lines, for evaluation and selection by NARS under their own conditions. In addition, 18,444 materials have been moved within the region, and of this, 11,433 have been moved through PROFRIJOL.

In the last 10 years, Central American countries released 29 new and improved varieties of beans, of which 28 (96 percent) were associated with CIAT-PROFRIJOL (Table 1). The increase in yield from use of the new varieties has been 268 kg/ha (Table 2), and information provided by the national programs suggest that the new seed is now planted on at least 40 percent of Central America's total bean-growing area (Table 3). The increase in yield has resulted in an increase in production of 39,400 t/year, which is sufficient to feed 3,283,000 people for 1 year, considering a consumption per person of 12 kg/year (Viana, 1998). These results are in part a product of: (1) a concerted effort between CIAT, PROFRIJOL, and the National Agriculture programs in the different Central American countries, and (2) evaluations of thousands of bean germplasm (land races, introduced material, specific nurseries, segregating populations, families, and lines) materials developed and introduced by CIAT and other countries into the region.

Production

Central America is a producer of the common bean in Latin America. Beans are grown chiefly on small farms in marginal environments, such as those characterized by steep, erosion-prone slopes, and by low soil fertility. During the 1997-98 season, 2.6 million hectares were sown to beans in Central America and Mexico, constituting 33 percent of the total area that is planted to beans in Latin America. The total production was 1.62 million tons (Table 4). Most of the beans in Central America are planted by small-scale subsistence farmers who are increasingly using improved varieties as assurance against crop failure. A large part of bean production in Central America takes place on small farms ranging from 1-10 ha in size, often on sloping land of limited fertility. Some estimates suggest that as much as 80 percent of the area planted with common beans in Central America is found on hillsides. Moreover, these smallholdings are dispersed and, in contrast to other crops, a main production area can seldom be determined. In Mexico, an estimated 67 percent of production comes from farms of less than 5 ha. Regionally speaking, more than half the production occurs on farms smaller than 20 ha and more than 20 percent on farms of less than 5 ha. Therefore, it is important that new and improved varieties find their way to the small farmers who are the major producers of common bean in this region.

Surveys conducted by Martel and Bernsten during 1993 found that smaller farmers plant relatively more beans than larger farmers, suggesting the crop is more important for the smaller farmers. Large farmers are more commercially oriented, but the income earned from beans is relatively more important to the small farmers because it makes up a greater portion of their income. In terms of production practices, there is no difference in chemical use between small and large farmers (Martel and Bernsten, 1995). In Honduras, no association was found between the adoption of Dorado (a variety resistant to bean golden mosaic) and farm size, suggesting that small farmers are just as likely to adopt new and improved varieties as are large farmers (Martel and Bernsten, 1995). This makes sense because resistant varieties, unlike some high-yielding varieties, are not dependent on costly chemical inputs or optimal growing conditions to make them perform, well they can be adopted without significant changes to the production system.

Seed Production and Distribution Channels

Seed production in Central America was initiated by CIAT in partnership with the national agricultural research organizations as a response to the low adoption of new better varieties and to make the seeds readily available to farmers at a low cost. Later PROFRIJOL (the Central American bean network) assumed this function up to 1995. PROFRIJOL created PASF (artesanal bean seed program), which was tasked promoting bean seed production and encouraging the diffusion of new bean varieties, as well as training technicians and farmers with the bean seed production knowledge.

This has resulted in well-structured seed production and seed distribution channels in Central America. Seed production is the responsibility of the national agricultural organizations (NARS) that contract individual farmers and organize farmer groups and small seed companies. For example, in Nicaragua, 95 percent of the seed is produced by small and medium farmers. In Costa Rica, in addition to organized farmer groups and small companie, individual farmers who are known in the community produce seed, but they do so under the supervision of the national programs. The community is involved in the selection of the farmer best suited to carry out seed production. In most cases, the farmers are people who are well respected. Apart from making the farmers in the community aware of the new and improved varieties that are available, the use of a trusted person helps with the diffusion and adoption of these varieties. In addition, the involvement of the local government (as frequently occurs in Mexico) in training and contracting small farmers shows that it realizes the importance of these farmers in bean production and the role that they play. In turn local government helps train these small producers who also earn money from the sale of their seed and supply seed to their neighbors at reasonable prices.

The Profitability of Beans

Because farms are generally small, and the average area planted to beans is often as little as 1.08 ha, bean farmers are sometimes considered as non-commercial in the sense that their production is primarily for home consumption, although surpluses are often sold on the market. The degree of market participation of bean farmers has grown over time (Schoonhoven and Pachico, 1998). The increasing market orientation of bean production has meant that bean is now viewed as a cash crop by the many small farmers growing it. This has given the small farmers who grow beans a powerful new incentive to adopt appropriate improved varieties as an inexpensive means of increasing production.

A sizable segment of poverty in Latin America is found in rural areas, and thus the profitability of agriculture is a central issue in addressing poverty. Legumes in general are considered to be relatively profitable crops compared to other options such as cereal; and beans are no exception. In Central America, small farmers report that among the traditional field crops, beans are the best income generators. Recent cost analyses of bean production confirm that beans are still a profitable item for farmers. In Nicaragua, farmers were studied as two groups, those using a landrace variety and those using an improved variety. Those using the improved variety enjoyed much greater profits because of higher yields ($390 vs $136/ha), and thanks to higher yields, production would still be profitable even if prices were 40 percent lower. Farmers attribute their own improved well-being to income from beans, and cite such benefits as improved educational opportunities for their children, and improved nutrition for the family.

There is no doubt that improved varieties contribute to the well-being of the small rural farmers in a number of ways that include:

1. Reduced risk associated with bean production. A technology such as a disease-resistant bean variety whose main benefit is to reduce the probability of a large, negative outcome such as crop los, would be particularly beneficial to small, poor farmers (e.g., BGMV resistant varieties). Honduras has two growing seasons. Martel and Bernsten (1995) found that the highest yielding variety, Catrachita, is planted in the first season whereas the virus-resistant variety, DOR 364, is planted in the second season, when the virus is a problem. As a result, the resistant variety offers a significant yield advantage during the second season.
2. Offering security and independence—that is, not having to ask for money, food or employment from family and friends—appears to be a very important aspect of well-being. Disease-resistant bean varieties have contributed to the reduction of uncertainty and dependency by maintaining yields and reducing variability associated with bean production, thus contributing significantly to poverty alleviation.
3. Increasing output, thus allowing producers to increase net bean sales and income.

Bean Scientists in Central America

Fourteen institutions in Central America are dedicated to bean improvement and employ 39 technical staff (Table 5). That the national programs are willing to assign this number of people to bean improvement programs clearly shows their interest in developing and distributing improved bean varieties and in the well-being of their people.

CIAT works closely with its partners in the networks. Materials crossed at CIAT or parents generated at CIAT are distributed to the national agricultural research systems (NARS) partners through the PROFRIJOL networks which evaluate and select the best lines suited to their conditions. These are then developed and released as varieties. In the period 1990-1997, 18,444 bean materials were moved within the region of which 11,433 passed through the bean network, PROFRIJOL (Table 6). In addition, bean lines and materials are also exchanged between network members in the different countries, showing that the networks are viable, and up and running.

Source: Viana , 1998

References

Martel, P.; Bernsten,R.H. 1995. Food markets, policy and technology: The case of Honduras dry beans, Bean/Cowpea. Collaborative Research Support Project (CRSP) (Mimeo).

Schoonhoven, A. van; Pachico D. 1998. Rice and beans in Latin America: A summary report on the economic impact of improved varieties. Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical (CIAT),Cali,CO.

Viana, A., 1998. Flujo de germoplasma e impacto del PROFRIJOL en Centroamérica: 1987-1996. Proyecto Regional de Frijol para Centro América, México y el Caribe (PROFRIJOL), GT.

Viana, A.; Rodríguez F.; Escoto D. 1997. Adopción de la variedad Dorado región Centro-Oriental de Honduras, 1996. Dirección de Ciencia y Tecnología Agrícola, Programa Regional de Frijol para Centro América, México y el Caribe (DICTA-PROFRIJOL), HN.

CORECA (Consejo Regional de Cooperación Agrícola). 1999. El mercado mundial de frijol y sus vinculaciones con el mercado centroamericano. Instituto Interamericano de Cooperación para la Agricultura (IICA), Coronado, CR.