Introduction
Beans are one of the legume crops. Legumes include crops such as pulses, peas, peanuts, soybeans, chickpeas and beans themselves. Beans, along with other crops of its category, have one main feature, they have nodules on their roots. Those nodules store special bacteria (nitrogen fixing bacteria) that make nitrogen. This is the reason why this group of plants is known for the quality of making its own fertilizer.
The bean crop is loved by many farmers because firstly it takes a short time to mature, secondly it does not cost much in its production and thirdly it has a very good price in the market almost all the time even during the harvest (ie its season). A farmer can grow beans for food consumption only at home or for retail or wholesale business.
The ease of growing beans and its advantages is an attraction for many people, but without following professional guidance, it is a dream for the farmer to get the harvest he expects.
Environment and Climate
It thrives well in areas with an altitude of 800 to 2000 meters from sea level. The ideal temperature for the growth of beans is an average temperature of 20 to 29 degrees Celsius, although in some areas it starts at 15 degrees Celsius.
In Tanzania, beans are grown in abundance in the regions of Mbeya, Iringa, Kigoma, Arusha, Morogoro, Kagera, Kilimanjaro, Tanga, Ruvuma and Rukwa.
Suitable Soil
Beans grow well in loam or loam mixed with sand that is fertile and does not drain water. Soil yeast should be between 5.5 - 7.0 on the pH scale although beans can tolerate even a pH of 4.5.
Best Bean Seeds
The best seeds are those that have been researched by legally recognized institutions and approved by the National Seed Committee. Among the best bean seeds produced in different times and now used by farmers are Uyole, Zawadi, Lyamungu 85 & 90, Rojo, Mshindi, Pesa, SUA 90, Bilfa and Canadian wonder. In addition to these, there are also seeds produced by the farmers themselves but under the supervision of TOSCI (Tanzania Official Seed Certification Institute) for the use of their own seeds or to sell to their fellow farmers within the relevant area.
Time to climb
In eastern regions: March/April
Lake region: August/September and January/February
Southern highlands: November/December, February/March
The planting of beans should be done at the right time for the respective area depending on the availability of sufficient water (rain). Also, decisions on the time to plant beans should take into account that during the harvest there should be dryness so that the beans do not spoil in the field. Too much stagnant water is not good for beans and causes plant diseases and rot. Drought is also not good because it can dry up the crops and cause you losses. So before planting, make sure you have a reliable source of water.
Seed preparation
There are many types of bean seeds, there are good seeds that have been researched and approved and there are also those produced by farmers (last season's seeds saved for the next season). It is up to you to make decisions about the seeds you want, but it is good to use the best seeds because they produce a lot and some are resistant to various diseases. The best bean seeds are available at ASA (Agricultural Seed Agency), their headquarters is Morogoro but they have branches in Arusha, Mwanza and Njombe. But you can also ask at the seed stores near you.
Amount of seeds
To plant one acre you need to have about 30 to 40 kilos of beans. This is equivalent to 80 to 90 Kg of beans per hectare. You can plant one or two seeds in each hole, but two seeds are better and bring more yield to the area.
Planting space
If you are going to plant two bean seeds in each hole, use a space of 50 cm by 20 cm, ie 50 cm between the row and the row and 20 cm between the plant and the plant (hole and hole). If you plant one seed in each hole, use a space of 50 cm by 10 cm. This will give you between 150,000 and 200,000 plants in one hectare.
Weed control
Beans require two hand plow weedings. In the first weeding, remove the weeds from the field as soon as they appear but this should be done at least the second week after the beans germinate. Weed again before the beans bloom. Weeding of flowering or fruiting beans causes wilting of flowers and/or fruit. But you can also use herbicides such as Galex 500EC, Stomp 500EC, Dual gold, sateca, etc. All methods are effective.
Fertilizer Requirements
Beans do not need nitrogen in abundance because the roots of beans help with living organisms (nitrogen fixing bacteria) living in the soil to make nitrogen. Even if beans need phosphorus to improve the roots and potassium to prepare the plant to produce more flowers and produce better fruits.
If the field was cultivated with fertilizers such as Urea or CAN then you don't need to add nitrogen fertilizers instead you can put TSP or DAP 60 Kg per hectare during planting. Or minjingu fertilizer (Minjingu Rock Phosphate) 250 Kg per hectare during planting.
If the field is very tired or nitrogen fertilizers were not applied last season, then use NPK in the ratio of 5:10:10 amounting to 30 Kg per hectare, and it should be applied during planting. All fertilizers should be placed five to 10 centimeters from the stem/hole of the plant and 3 to 5 centimeters deep.
You can also use manure/manure (5-10 tons per hectare) or green manure (5 tons per hectare). Pour/scatter the manure over the entire field and then mix it well with the soil by plowing (tractor or bull). What this means is that you spread the manure before plowing your field with a tractor/cow.
Green manure is available by clearing the field and then leaving it until the leaves/weeds grow and then you plow it with a tractor or cattle (with the same weeds) but before it produces seeds and then you plant. Manure can be used together with manure and green manure.
Irrigation
Beans need enough rain before flowering and podding. It needs a little moisture during flowering and dryness during pod maturation and drying. Pods are fruits. If you are going to use any other irrigation method, check what stage your beans are in before planning your irrigation schedule.
Mixed farming (Intercropping)
Studies show that the yield of beans planted alone is greater compared to the yield of beans mixed with corn or another crop. This is due to the fact that unlike beans mixed with other crops, beans grown alone do not compete for food, light and space, thus making them self-sufficient throughout the growth period and thus bringing a high yield.
However, it is very good and it is recommended to plant beans together with plants of other species such as corn because it helps in distributing nitrogen minerals and for creeping beans, they find a place to hold or crawl. Beans can be planted between rows of corn. Potatoes can also be planted with beans.
It is recommended not to plant beans together with other leguminous plants as it causes the plants to not grow well due to not getting enough nutrients and can cause problems such as insects (bean whitefly).
Ripening, Harvesting and Picking Beans
Dry beans are harvested once a satisfactory amount of maturity and drying has been achieved. Symptoms of overripe beans include yellowing and some drying of the leaves, and bean pods starting from ripe green to pale green to yellow and finally flakes. You can also confirm by peeling the pods and satisfying yourself what beans are inside. Dry beans take 75 days (two and a half months) to 100 days to be ready for harvest depending on the type of bean. If in every 10 plants seven or more beans are mature then your beans are ready to harvest.
During normal harvesting, the entire bean plant is uprooted and collected in heaps and later all the heaps are gathered in one place in the sun so that the beans dry before they are harvested. Two days after picking the beans are dry enough that you can beat them. After threshing sift your beans to separate the clean seeds from the trash. Note that you must lay the tarp down before gathering your beans and beating.
How to store Beans
If you need to store them in the sun for several days to make sure they are dry and free of moisture that can cause them to get fungus. Store them in sacks and if they are going to stay for a long time without being sold/eaten then make sure you store them using pesticides such as Shumba, Actellic Dust or Malathion.
Or Use special grain storage bags or a container with a lid such as a plastic bucket or barrel and keep checking them regularly to make sure that insects have not entered and then cover them again. Make sure that the container or container you use to store the beans is clean.