Press and News Bundled technologies of beans, insects and fruit trees are poised to transform Africa’s agriculture
The Building Equitable Climate-Resilient African Bean and Insect Sector project (BRAINS) was launched in Nairobi from October 7 to 9, 2024. This initiative - led by the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT in collaboration with the Pan-Africa Bean Research Alliance (PABRA) and the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), aims to enhance the livelihoods of over 70 million people across 15 African countries over the course of five years.
By:
Yohane Chideya, Dennis Ong’or, Esther Nzuki, Warren Arinaitwe, Jean Claude Rubyogo (The Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT), and
Liz Ng’ang’a, Ayuka Fombong, Ekesi Sunday (International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology)
Funded by a CAD $20 million grant from Global Affairs Canada, BRAINS focuses on integrating beans, beneficial insects, and fruit trees such as mangoes, citrus, and avocados to transform agriculture in 15 sub-Saharan African countries. The project promotes low-carbon agricultural practices and climate resilience, particularly for women and youth farmers. By facilitating the adoption of participatory climate-smart technologies, BRAINS seeks to empower communities and drive sustainable agricultural development throughout the region.
The journey of combining beans, insects and fruit trees kicked off with the BRAINS project launch in Nairobi in October 2024. The project's target countries are Burundi, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe, through the promotion of low-carbon practices and enhancement of climate resilience among women and youth farmers, by accelerating the delivery of participatory climate-smart technologies.
At the three-day project launch, nearly 100 delegates from participating countries - 59% of whom were women - gathered in Kenya’s capital to collaborate and strategize on implementing the initiatives. The delegates engaged in intensive discussions, working together to establish both short-term and long-term targets for all key aspects of the venture. This approach aims to ensure that the initiatives are effectively tailored to meet specific needs of each country while promoting sustainable agricultural practices across the region.
Frame 2 and 3: Some of the participants strategizing on key activities to meet both short and long-term goals and Eileen Nchanji, Gender and Social Inclusion expert (right) making a presentation – Photos by Esther Nzuki
Creating new possibilities
Climate change poses a major challenge for agriculture in sub-Saharan Africa where many smallholder farmers depend on rain-fed farming for their livelihoods. Climate-smart agricultural practices are emerging as a promising solution to address this issue. These practices offer a range of benefits, including increased productivity, enhanced resilience, higher incomes for farmers, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, and improved soil health. The impacts of climate change are increasingly evident, manifesting as extreme temperatures, irregular precipitation patterns, and climate-related natural disasters that threaten the lives of millions, leaving them without shelter or food and resulting in substantial economic losses. Additionally, these climatic shifts have adversely affected agricultural productivity, leading to crop failures, reduced yields, and heightened pressures from pests and diseases.
For these reasons, the BRAINS project will empower farmers and agro-processors by providing access to participatory climate-smart technologies. It aims to enhance the adaptability of agricultural practices in the face of climate change, focusing not only on increasing yields but also on ensuring that these practices are environmentally sustainable and economically viable.
For many, the idea of integrating beans and insects may seem unusual. While beans are a staple food in numerous African countries – rich in protein and essential nutrients – they also play a vital role in improving soil health through nitrogen fixation, making them a sustainable choice for farmers. Insects, often regarded as pests, are typically overlooked. However, through the BRAINS initiative, a transformative approach is being proposed: by incorporating insects into agricultural systems, the countries can create a sustainable source of protein, enhance biodiversity, and reduce waste.
Additionally, insects can act as natural pest control, minimizing the need for chemical pesticides. Insects such as pollinators also enhance the productivity of flowering crops through pollination services which providing alternative sources of income through associated bioproducts such as honey, beeswax and propolis (which is medicinal).
On the other hand, edible insects such as grasshoppers and crickets boast a rich profile of proteins, carbohydrates, fats, minerals, vitamins, and bioactive compounds essential for human health and nutrition. Their impressive nutrient content, coupled with their availability and low production costs, has led to a growing trend of using them as a substitute protein source in animal feed. Moreover, insects such as black soldier flies are effective recyclers of organic wastes into nutritious, chitin-rich organic grass fertilizers that enhance soil health and crop yield. icipe has designed improved, low-tech options for mass-rearing of edible insects and supported the development of harmonized standards and policies for safe, equitable use and trade in edible insect.
Thus, the systems will incorporate fruit trees, primarily mango and avocado, which will be supported by environmentally friendly pest and disease management options; organic soil fertility enhancement, through insect-based grass biofertilizers; and enhanced pollination services by the bees. Moreover, beans enhance nitrogen fixation and soil enrichment; fruit trees and beekeeping-friendly trees are perennial and drought-tolerant, thus helping to protect landscapes, restore soil function and fertility, and helping in carbon sequestration. The systems will be complemented with components of the icipe climate-smart push-pull technology, which intercrops legumes and fodder grass to control cereal pests; and the center’s modern, climate-smart and sustainable beekeeping technologies.
Additionally, the trade in edible insects represents a significant source of revenue, with the global market valued at approximately $1.2 billion annually. This growing industry is further driven by the increasing demand for sustainable food sources and the rising costs of traditional animal feed and feed ingredients, highlighting the urgent need for more affordable and eco-friendly alternatives.
“Climate change is hitting hard, and it is essential for farmers to diversify their crops beyond beans, while entrepreneurs explore further opportunities. This is where the BRAINS Project plays a crucial role: It provides a pathway for improvement and resilience,” highlighted PABRA Director and Global Bean Programme Leader, Jean Claude Rubyogo.
Frame 4: RUBYOGO: It is essential for farmers to diversify their crops – Photo by Esther Nzuki
Implementation and capacity development
Frame 5: MAKINI: Appreciated the great collaboration among key players in various value chains – Photo by Esther Nzuki
Following the successful launch of the BRAINS project, a comprehensive series of activities is being devised. These initiatives include capacity building and profiling of processors, aimed at empowering farmers, youth, and women-led enterprises across all 15 benefiting countries. By collaborating with National Agricultural Research Systems (NARS), BRAINS will leverage existing value chains in insects, fruits, and beans to enhance production. Training sessions will also be conducted focusing on climate-smart agricultural practices, incorporating insights from nutrition experts and equip farmers with essential knowledge on climate adaptation.
Representing all the National Agricultural Research Systems (NARS), Felister Makini, Deputy Director General of the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO), described this new venture as a breakthrough in tackling the climate change and agricultural challenges currently facing the sub-Saharan African region, home to over 1.2 billion people.
She stated, “It is inspiring to see such a diverse group of experts come together to address the challenges affecting millions. We are committed to providing our support to ensure that the Initiative achieves its goals.”
Documentation of carbon stocks and profiling of financial actors will then be followed by creation of linkages among all stakeholders to effectively support farmers across various value chains. Furthermore, there will be the promotion of the use of clean materials and fostering of multi-stakeholder platforms to commercialize the production and consumption of beans and edible insects.
As part of the initiative, BRAINS will engage 5,000 change agents, directly benefiting 10 million individuals, with 60% of them being women. This includes five million smallholder farmers, five million consumers and school-age children, as well as a variety of value chain actors. The project will also catalyze the growth of 2,000 small and medium enterprises, while indirectly supporting an additional 50 million consumers, businesses, and households.
With a focus on nutrition, gender, and market access, the project emphasizes a collaborative and cost-effective approach to implementation. NARS will lead this effort in their respective countries, partnering with local organizations, universities, and private enterprises to promote sustainable practices.
During the inception forum, Dr. Beatrice Muriithi, a socio-economist from icipe, briefed participants on the importance of leveraging existing data to utilize resources responsibly. Muriithi is certain that this strategy is vital for countries where baseline assessments were not carried out, to ensure that strategies are tailored to the specific needs of each region.
“Since a comprehensive gender analysis was conducted at baseline, we should only employ full-fledged gender analysis in extreme cases where additional data is necessary for informed decision-making,” she explained.
Sunday Ekesi, Deputy Director General of icipe, added: “We consider insects from a broad perspective, encompassing human health, environmental health, plant health, and animal health. Insects are not inherently bad, as many people believe, and that’s the message this project aims to convey.”
Frame 6: MURIITHI: Highlighted significance of leveraging data for informed decision-making – Photo by Esther Nzuki
Frame 7: EKESI: Insects are not bad – Photo by Esther Nzuki
Frame 8: ARINAITWE: Workplans for each country are necessary – Photo by Esther Nzuki
To facilitate smooth implementation and stay on track, the project team leader, Warren Arinaitwe emphasized the urgency of strategic planning to maintain the project’s momentum and to ensure that all stakeholders are prepared to fulfill their respective roles effectively.
He stated: “Submission of work plans by each country is necessary to align activities with the overall project goals early enough, allowing time for necessary adjustments.”
Canadian High Commissioner to Kenya, Christopher Thornley, expressed his delight with the venture, stating:
“It is impressive to witness such collaboration across diverse areas of expertise. This kind of partnership is exactly what will drive progress. While it will not be easy, together we can achieve remarkable things. Let us join forces to build a future where everyone has access to nutritious food and sustainable livelihoods, creating better economic, health, and ecological outcomes for future generations.”
Frame 9: THORNLEY: Together we can achieve remarkable things – Photo by Esther Nzuki
Frame 10: TANKOUANO: We are exploring ways to use insects to clean the environment – Photo by Esther Nzuki
icipe Director General Dr. Abdou Tenkouano expressed his enthusiasm for the collaboration, noting its potential to transform agriculture in the sub-Saharan African region:
“BRAINS advances our partnership with the Alliance and PABRA by integrating beans and insects. My reflections on BRAINS are B for Bees and Beans, R for Rain and Resilience, A for Partnerships for Action, I for Income, N for Nitrogen Fixing and Nutrition, and S for Sustainability.”
His Alliance Counterpart, Juan Lucas Restrepo, shared similar sentiments:
“We greatly appreciate this new partnership between the Alliance, PABRA and icipe, in their efforts to diversify and find climate-resilient solutions through BRAINS. This is vital in contributing towards global biodiversity targets. We are look forward to further strengthening this collaboration to create meaningful impact on livelihoods across the African continent.”
Frame 11: RESTREPO: Looking forward to meaningful impact on livelihoods in Africa through BRAINS Project
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