Jean d’Amour Manirere is Harvest Plus’ first Country Manager, handpicked to manage the release of high-iron beans in Rwanda.

HarvestPlus and its partners bred these beans to have higher iron content. Adding more iron to this simple staple crop could prove revolutionary in Rwanda where beans are typically eaten twice daily and where iron deficiency is widespread. Jean d’Amour explains that, “beans are the ‘meat’ and even the ‘bread’ of the Rwandan countryside.” In Rwanda, a meal without beans is like a meal “without food” he says, laughingly.

Over the next few years, Jean d’Amour will guide these new iron-rich beans through field trials and ultimately to farmers. HarvestPlus expects that three million Rwandans will be eating these beans within ten years, greatly alleviating the crippling iron deficiencies that leave at least half of Rwanda’s preschoolers physically and mentally impaired.

When asked what drew him to this project, Jean d’Amour explains that his passion for agriculture and development was inspired by the lush landscape of his home country; “my interest in crop science is mainly inspired by Musanze, my birthplace, and the most favorable agricultural region of Rwanda. All across my daily life I meet farmers, and my key issue is to help farmers and end hunger.” His commitment to Rwanda’s farmers is evident; he talks with farmers every day, educating them on the best farming practices for beans.

A variety of high-iron bean ready for harvest

Another aspect of his job is to gather feedback on whether farming communities will accept these new bean varieties and to promote biofortification. “This is critical,” says Jean d’Amour, “ultimately, if farmers won’t grow the beans, or people won’t eat them, HarvestPlus cannot achieve its goal.”

To ensure farmers will grow the beans, scientists bred these new varieties to be disease tolerant and adpated to local conditions. Jean d’Amour plans to find interested farmers who can convince other community members, especially women, to grow biofortified beans to feed to their families. Whether speaking to farm leaders, meeting with associations and policy makers, writing articles in local newspapers, or holding discussions in town halls and on local radio stations, Jean d’Amour is leaving no stone unturned as he spreads the word on biofortification.

Meanwhile, HarvestPlus is conducting studies to verify that these beans do provide people with beneficial amounts of dietary iron. Once these results are available, Jean D’Amour is confident that high-iron beans will be launched in Rwanda to an enthusiastic and informed community. It’s a day that is coming quickly, with biofortified beans slated for release in 2010. Within five years, HarvestPlus hopes that high-iron beans will become one of Rwanda’s main crops, and iron deficiency—and the health problems it causes—will be on the decline, quite a victory for Mr. Manirere and the HarvestPlus team.

Learn more about iron deficiency and and our high iron bean program.