A CAMPAIGN to sensitise the public about the health benefits of consuming iron-rich beans was on Tuesday launched in Nyanza District.

The two-week campaign was organised by Harvest Plus, an international non-governmental organisation, in partnership with the Rwanda Agriculture Board (Rab).

It seeks to create awareness among the public on how iron-rich beans can help improve their nutrition and health.

The organisers of the campaign are using local artistes – including Tom Close, Riderman, Urban Boys, King James and Miss Jojo – to reach out to the public.

A song featuring the artistes will be used to deliver the campaign’s message.

The campaign targets 30,000 individuals in five districts. They include Nyanza, Rusizi, Gatsibo, Nyagatare and Kirehe.

It also features an exhibition and sale of high iron bean varieties and vitamin A maize cobs set to be introduced on the market in the near future.

Lister Katsvairo, Harvest Plus country manager, told The New Times that iron-deficiency remains ‘fairly high’ in the country, something he said is of concern.

A baseline survey conducted by the organisation revealed that 33 per cent of Rwandans are iron-deficient, he noted.

To address the issue, ten varieties of bio-fortified beans were bred for high, low and mid-altitude regions, Katsvairo said.

"We looked at a staple crop that could help change people’s nutritional status and is generally acceptable,” he explained.

Beans remain one of the most consumed staple crops in Rwanda. However, according to experts, the high iron bean varieties have more than 40 per cent of iron content, far more than the traditional beans.

They also have higher zinc content and are disease resistant.

Over 700, 000 households across the country are already growing the improved bean varieties.

The official said the bio-fortified varieties are available on the local market, mainly through a network of agro-dealers across the country.

A kilogramme currently goes for Rwf500.

"The beans were bred here and adapted to the Rwandan climate,” Katsvairo said at the launch of the campaign.

Apart from improving the nutritional status of households, the beans are also set to increase farmers’ productivity and welfare, the official said.

The climbing beans can produce up to four tonnes per one hectare while bush beans can produce up to only two metric tonnes per hectare, he said.

"If grown using modern agriculture practices, the beans can help improve farmers’ yields, thus ensuring food security. Farmers will also have surplus to sell and that will help improve their livelihoods,” Katsvairo said.

Nyanza District mayor Abdullah Murenzi said the introduction of the new varieties is timely and will contribute towards the national target of increasing agriculture production.

He also noted that the bio-fortified beans will help curb malnutrition in the country.