Beans are a rich source of protein and micronutrients in Rwanda, where they are eaten daily by millions of people. HarvestPlus and its partners, including the Rwanda Agricultural Research Institute (ISAR), are developing new varieties of this important staple crop with more dietary iron. Iron deficiency in Rwanda is a major problem—it is estimated that more than half of children and one-third of women have anemia, which is often caused by iron deficiency. Bonnie McClafferty of HarvestPlus recently traveled to Rwanda and met with collaborators at ISAR to get a closer look at these new “iron beans.”

Learn more about iron-rich beans and the Iron Man for Rwanda, Jean d’Amour Manirere, who was recently featured in the New Agriculturist.