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.