Drought or Flooding? No Match for This Climate-Friendly Bean
October 26, 2024
Amidst the growing impacts of climate change, including extreme weather events like droughts and floods, researchers at the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) have developed a new bean variety that can withstand these challenges.
The bean, known as “Clima 3,” is a combination of two drought-tolerant beans and one flood-tolerant bean. It is the result of over 15 years of research and development.
“Clima 3 is a game-changer for smallholder farmers in the tropics,” said Dr. Victor Acosta, lead researcher on the project. “It is a high-yielding bean that can withstand both drought and flooding, ensuring that farmers can have a reliable food source even in the face of extreme weather events.”
Adapting to Climate Change
Droughts and floods are becoming more common and severe in the tropics, making it increasingly difficult for farmers to grow crops. Beans are a staple food for millions of people in these regions, but they are particularly vulnerable to water stress and flooding.
“Clima 3 is a unique solution to the challenges posed by climate change,” said Dr. Agnes Quisumbing, another researcher involved in the project. “By combining drought and flood tolerance into a single variety, we have created a bean that can thrive even in the most challenging conditions.”
Field Trials
Field trials conducted in Colombia, Kenya, and Nicaragua have shown promising results. In drought conditions, Clima 3 outperformed other bean varieties by up to 40%. In flooding conditions, it outperformed other varieties by up to 60%.
“We are very excited about the potential of Clima 3,” said Dr. Acosta. “This bean could help millions of smallholder farmers adapt to climate change and ensure that they have a reliable food source for their families and communities.”
Distribution and Availability
CIAT is currently working with seed companies to make Clima 3 available to farmers in the tropics. The bean is expected to be commercially available in 2025.
“We believe that Clima 3 has the potential to make a significant impact on food security and livelihoods in the tropics,” said Dr. Quisumbing. “We are committed to making this bean available to as many farmers as possible so that they can reap the benefits of its climate-friendly traits.”
Drought or flooding? No match for this climate-friendly bean
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