Strengthening Bean Pathology Collaboration to Combat Diseases and Pests in Africa 

The bean pathology team of the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT – in collaboration with Uganda’s National Agricultural Research Organization (NARO) – is committed to addressing the challenges posed by diseases and pests (D&P) in bean production.

In recent years, the team has worked to align and leverage its collective expertise towards a common goal: updating and improving information on the key biotic constraints affecting farmers’ fields in several African countries, with Uganda serving as the starting point.

This collaboration focuses on harmonizing data collection protocols, training local personnel, and identifying disease- and pest- prone field sites to understand the intensity and diversity of D&P affecting bean crops under real farming conditions. These efforts aim to enhance the quality of data necessary to accurately assess risks and support the development of targeted, effective, and sustainable mitigation strategies. This collaboration, facilitated through a strategic approach called the Sentinel Trial Establishment, would enable the rapid tracking of pathogen virulence patterns and practical early detection efforts, where the involvement of NARs and other stakeholders is crucial in reducing the effects of diseases & pests on crop production.