The University of Western Australia, through The UWA Institute of Agriculture, continues to strengthen its partnerships across Africa in the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research funded Rapid Cooking Bean Project (ACIAR-RCBP).

UWA has partnered closely with the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT (Alliance-CIAT) in Kawanda, Uganda, which coordinates the African bean breeding network. Led by Professor Wallace Cowling with Dr Renu Saradadevi and Hackett Professor Kadambot Siddique, the UWA team works with African colleagues including Dr Clare Mukankusi (Global Breeding Lead – Common Bean, Alliance-CIAT), Pan Africa Bean Research Alliance (PRABA) Director Jean-Claude Rubyogo, and Dr Winnyfred Amongi (Alliance-CIAT). The collaboration spans six countries -Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Burundi, Rwanda, and Ethiopia - with contributions from national bean breeders and agronomists.

Over the first six years, the project achieved substantial genetic gains: average cooking time was reduced by ~30%, grain yield increased, and bean seeds were enhanced with higher iron and zinc content. These advances were guided by rapid cycles of genomic selection using BRIO breeding principles. Rapid-cooking beans provide social, environmental, health, and economic benefits: they reduce fuel use and smoke exposure, lessen labour burdens for women and children, and improve nutrition through biofortified beans.

Dr Renu Saradadevi and Professor Wallace Cowling during the visit to Kenya. 

Phase 2 planning for ACIAR-RCBP took place in Nairobi, Kenya, from 2–4 February 2026, with representatives from AllianceCIAT, PABRA, and all partner countries. Discussions focused on delivering market-ready bean varieties, fast-tracking their release, and ensuring participation of both women and men smallholders in variety selection. Engagement with seed companies and processors was highlighted to strengthen distribution pathways, alongside training African plant breeders in BRIO-based methods.

Field visits to the KALRO Research Station at Katumani showcased drought tolerance screening, critical for adapting to Kenya’s changing climate. At Ausquest Farm in Machakos, the team observed large-scale bean production under no-till systems, revealing strong commercial interest in rapid-cooking varieties and underscoring the importance of aligning breeding with market demand. 

The ACIAR-RCBP Phase 2 meeting reinforced the project’s success in codesigning bean breeding and variety release in Africa. By integrating scientific innovation, regional coordination, genderresponsive selection, and robust seed systems, the partnership is well positioned to advance rapid-cooking bean lines through final testing, release, and adoption.

UWA’s engagement exemplifies how international research partnerships, built on shared priorities and capacity development, can deliver lasting benefits to African farming communities.