Mariam Nalongo, a member of the Atawola Tabanja group in Kikyusa sub-county, Luweero District, never expected that growing beans could transform her livelihood. “Thanks to HarvestPlus, I am not just growing crops, I am growing my income and securing my family’s future,” she beams with pride.
Her farmers’ group, Atawola Tabanja, consists of 30 members (two men and 28 women). In the 2024 season, they partnered with HarvestPlus under the Expanding Nutrients in Food Systems (ENFS) project. The group received training in nutrition, agronomy, and the economic potential of biofortified crops like iron beans, orange-fleshed sweet potatoes, and vitamin A maize. These crops were not only promoted for improving household nutrition but also for their capacity to boost farmers’ income.
Mariam initially purchased 10 kilograms seed of the NARO BEAN 6 variety of iron beans from a local seed multiplier, paying 5,000 shillings (USD 1.35) per kilogram. Despite initial hesitation due to unreliable rains and unfamiliarity with the variety, Mariam decided to take a chance after learning from HarvestPlus officers about the beans’ drought tolerance and nutritional value.
To her delight, she harvested an impressive 420 kilograms of iron beans—the largest yield she had ever achieved. “I was excited to see my harvest” she exclaimed as she packed the beans for sale. From her harvest, she sold 370 kilograms of iron beans to the Twezimbe Kasaala Farmers’ Cooperative Society, a HarvestPlus partner, at UGX 3,800 or USD 1.02 per kilogram. This sale brought her a remarkable UGX 1,406,000 equivalent to USD 380, a sum she had never imagined earning from beans in a single season. Previously, Mariam earned less than a half from selling the non-biofortified bean varieties.
“I have never earned this much money from beans in a single season before!” Mariam says, her excitement palpable. Her success has drawn the attention of neighbors, many of whom are now eager to plant the same high-yielding, and nutritious iron beans.
With newfound confidence and a ready market, Mariam is setting her sights on the future. “I am expanding my iron bean production to at least 4 acres because I have seen how profitable they are,” she says with a smile. “Thanks to God for the income I’ve earned for my family from selling iron beans, even though I planted just a small portion,” she shares, beaming with pride.