Yellow beans present a lucrative investment opportunity owing to their high market demand and easy marketability. Additionally, they require minimal inputs and thrive during the short rains. With a short growth period of just two months, they can also serve as an intercropping crop between seasons of your main crop, enhancing overall agricultural productivity.
Ecological requirements
Soil Conditions:
- Well-drained soil rich in organic matter.
- pH level of 6.5 to 7.5.
- Avoid water-logged soils as they result in poor yields.
Rainfall:
- Optimum rainfall between 800 and 2,000mm per year.
- Well-distributed rainfall throughout the year is preferred.
- If rainfall is insufficient, irrigation can be employed.
- Avoid irrigating during the flowering period to prevent flower abortion.
Watering Practices:
- Avoid overfeeding with water; yellow beans require only a small amount.
- Irrigate once per week, if necessary.
Altitude:
- Suitable for diverse altitudes ranging from 1,000 to 2,100 meters above sea level.
Temperature:
- Tolerates temperatures ranging from 15 to 33°C.
- Optimum temperature for maximum yields is 20 to 25°C.
- High temperatures can affect flowering and pod setting.
- Low temperatures may lead to disease incidences such as blight.
Yellow Beans Farming in Kenya: Planting
Planting and Spacing:
- Plant beans during the short rains to reduce the impact of heavy rains and waterlogged soils.
- Avoid planting during cold weather accompanied by short rains to prevent low-quality crops and reduced yields.
- Alternatively, plant yellow beans during the dry season and water them once per week, avoiding watering during the flowering stage.
- For pole variety: Optimal spacing is 10×40 cm.
- For bush variety: Optimal spacing is 20×20 cm.
- Planting at these spacings allows for approximately 100,000 yellow bean seeds per acre, roughly equivalent to 25 to 30 kgs of seeds.
Nutrient Management:
- Mix soil with compost organic manure before planting to boost fertility and yields.
- Two weeks after germination, apply a balanced NPK fertilizer such as 17.17.17 or 23.23.23.
- Alternatively, apply foliar fertilizer at this time if preferred.
Pest and Disease Management:
- Be vigilant for pests such as aphids, cutworms, bean fly, caterpillars, whiteflies, and bollworm.
- Control pest infestations by spraying appropriate chemicals upon early detection.
- Effective chemicals include Pentagon 50 EC by Greenlife and Umeme by Osho Chemicals.
Pest and Diseases
Disease Management:
- Bean Rust:
- Symptoms: Formation of reddish-brown patches on leaves, stems, or pods.
- Control:
- Apply a preventive fungicide like Green Copper or Mistress upon early signs.
- For affected plants, use a curative fungicide such as Trinity Gold or Ridomil.
- Downy Mildew:
- Symptoms: Formation of whitish/grey substance on leaves, starting from the underside and progressing to the top.
- Control: Use a fungicide like Trinity Gold or Milraz.
- Anthracnose:
- Symptoms: Brown/black sunken lesions on stems, pods, seeds, or leaves.
- Control: Spray Absolute 375SC at a rate of 10ml/20l knapsack.
- Blight:
- Symptoms: Yellowing and eventual falling off of leaves, discoloration of vascular tissues.
- Control: Apply a fungicide such as Trinity Gold or Green Copper.
Weeding Practices:
- Ensure proper and timely weeding to minimize competition for nutrients and resources.
- Uproot all weeds before planting and remove any weeds growing within the plants by week three.
- As bean plants spread out, they will naturally suppress further weed growth, reducing the need for additional weeding.
Yellow Beans Farming in Kenya: Market and Price
Market Opportunities:
- Yellow beans are highly consumed and versatile in Kenya, making them in high demand.
- Buyers often come directly to farmers to purchase yellow beans at favorable prices.
- Farmers can also supply yellow beans to various learning institutions in their locality.
Yellow Beans Price in Kenya:
- Current price: 1kg of yellow beans ranges between Ksh. 180 and 220.
- Prices may slightly fluctuate depending on the region and season.
Higher Profit Margin Opportunities:
- Farmers can earn higher profits by selling yellow beans to learning institutions through tenders.
- Institutions typically offer higher prices compared to the current market price.