The Crops Research Institute of the Council for Scien­tific and Industrial Research (CSIR-CRI) has unveiled four new varieties of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) - a crop with significant potential to improve health, food security, and farmer resilience in Ghana.Two of the new varieties are drought- and heat-tolerant, devel­oped to withstand the harsh effects of climate change.The other two are biofortified with iron and zinc to help combat micronutrient deficiencies - a rising public health issue, especially among women and children.The varieties have been submit­ted to the National Variety Release and Registration Committee (NVRRC) and granted conditional approval pending final clearance by the National Seed Council.During a field inspection over the weekend, NVRRC members praised the initiative and expressed confidence in the beans' potential."These are exactly the kinds of varieties Ghanaian farmers need.

They're drought-tolerant and packed with nutrition - a powerful combination to fight anaemia and improve household diets," said Dr Solomon Gyan Ansah, Chairman of the Committee and Director of Crop Services at the Ministry of Food and Agriculture. "We need a clear strategy to get these beans into farmers' hands," he added.Although common bean is rel­atively new to Ghanaian agricul­ture, experts believe its promise is immense."Common beans are rich in plant protein, iron, and zinc, making them ideal for school feeding pro­grammes and household nutrition," said Prof.

Maxwell Darko Asante, Director of CSIR-CRI, adding that, "They also offer industrial potential - from canned beans to bean flour for baking and food processing."He noted that CSIR-CRI had released over 100 crop varieties spanning cereals, legumes, roots and tubers, and vegetables. "These new beans reflect our commitment to agricultural innovation and nutri­tion security," he added.Dr Stephen Yeboah, lead scien­tist on the project, emphasised the urgent need for better nutrition, especially in rural Ghana."Studies show worrying levels of iron and zinc deficiencies among mothers and children, causing anae­mia and stunted growth," he stated, stressing that "Biofortification - boosting nutrients in crops through breeding - offers a sustainable solution."According to Dr Yeboah, the biofortified beans could improve diets significantly, particularly for pregnant women and young chil­dren most at risk of micronutrient shortfalls.The drought- and heat-tolerant varieties come at a critical time as farmers face erratic weather and water scarcity."Common bean is the world's most important pulse crop, but it performs poorly under heat stress," he said. "These new varieties are bred to withstand tough conditions, ensuring better yields even in dry spells," he added.By reducing irrigation needs, these climate-smart beans also cut production costs - a major benefit for farmers in water-stressed areas.The varieties were developed under the project "Developing and Deploying Drought-Tolerant and High Iron and Zinc Bean Varieties that Fit the Legume-Rice Crop Rotation in Ghana".It is a collaboration between CSIR-CRI and the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT through the Pan-African Bean Research Alliance (PABRA), and funded by the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA).FROM KINGSLEY E.

HOPE, KUMASI