92
8.3.1 Case Study 1: Successful Partnerships for Highland
Bean Varieties
The maize lethal necrosis (MLN) disease was first reported in Kenya in 2011 and
caused significant losses to households (FSNWG 2013). According to de Groote
et al. (2016), an estimated 500,000 mt of maize were lost in 2013, an amount valued
at US$180 million and equivalent to 22% of average annual production. As the disease spread in the highlands of the Rift Valley, Kenya’s agricultural extension service recommended that small-scale farmers plant crops other than maize to avoid
infection and spread of the disease. Given that the main staple crops in the Kenyan
diet are maize and beans, beans were a logical choice for farmers to plant. Common
beans have not been grown historically in the highland areas because average temperatures were too low,
1
but in the last two decades rising average temperatures have
made it possible to grow beans in these locations (MoALF 2016). Beans grown at
high elevation, however, can be more vulnerable to diseases such as angular leaf
spot, rust, common bacterial blight and root rot (Wagara and Kimani 2007).
Egerton University, in collaboration with the International Center for Tropical
Agriculture (CIAT), developed and was starting to commercialize medium- to highaltitude bean varieties with disease resistance, and three varieties (Chelalang,
Ciankui and Tasha) were deemed suitable for the situation arising from the MLN
crisis. Between 2011 and 2014, the university partnered with several local seed
companies. The involved parties signed contracts through which the university sold
breeder seed (a type of EGS) to the seed companies, who received non-exclusive
rights for multiplication, upscaling and commercialization. With funding received
from AGRA in 2014, the university promoted and marketed the new varieties to
help farmers learn about them. One variety in particular, Chelalang, has since been
adopted by farmers in the highlands affected by MLN and is growing in popularity
in the Rift Valley region. In 2017, Chelalang was included in an input-supply
programme of the Kenyan government, the Kenya Cereal Enhancement Programme,
through which 30,000 farmers each received enough seed to plant half an acre with
that variety. A total of 300 mt of Chelalang seed was distributed prior to the long
rainy season, stretching from March to May (pers. comm.).
With the spread of MLN disease creating an urgent need for action, the university and the seed companies quickly reached an agreement on the provision of the
necessary breeder (EGS) seed, which was readily available in sufficient quantities.
The cost for one ton of breeder seed was approximately US$2900. Egerton did not
charge the companies a licensing fee, and under the agreement the companies pay
a 5% royalty on gross sales to the university. The marketing efforts funded by
development partners (received after the licensing agreements had been signed)
helped raise awareness among farmers and stimulate demand. Using Fig. 8.1 as an
analytical framework for assessment of this case study, the breeding had already
1 Common bean is suited to optimal average daily temperatures of 20–25 °C, and below 15 °C
seeds germinate poorly (De Ron et al. 2016).
L. K. Cramer
8.3.1 Case Study 1: Successful Partnerships for Highland
Bean Varieties
The maize lethal necrosis (MLN) disease was first reported in Kenya in 2011 and
caused significant losses to households (FSNWG 2013). According to de Groote
et al. (2016), an estimated 500,000 mt of maize were lost in 2013, an amount valued
at US$180 million and equivalent to 22% of average annual production. As the disease spread in the highlands of the Rift Valley, Kenya’s agricultural extension service recommended that small-scale farmers plant crops other than maize to avoid
infection and spread of the disease. Given that the main staple crops in the Kenyan
diet are maize and beans, beans were a logical choice for farmers to plant. Common
beans have not been grown historically in the highland areas because average temperatures were too low,
1
but in the last two decades rising average temperatures have
made it possible to grow beans in these locations (MoALF 2016). Beans grown at
high elevation, however, can be more vulnerable to diseases such as angular leaf
spot, rust, common bacterial blight and root rot (Wagara and Kimani 2007).
Egerton University, in collaboration with the International Center for Tropical
Agriculture (CIAT), developed and was starting to commercialize medium- to highaltitude bean varieties with disease resistance, and three varieties (Chelalang,
Ciankui and Tasha) were deemed suitable for the situation arising from the MLN
crisis. Between 2011 and 2014, the university partnered with several local seed
companies. The involved parties signed contracts through which the university sold
breeder seed (a type of EGS) to the seed companies, who received non-exclusive
rights for multiplication, upscaling and commercialization. With funding received
from AGRA in 2014, the university promoted and marketed the new varieties to
help farmers learn about them. One variety in particular, Chelalang, has since been
adopted by farmers in the highlands affected by MLN and is growing in popularity
in the Rift Valley region. In 2017, Chelalang was included in an input-supply
programme of the Kenyan government, the Kenya Cereal Enhancement Programme,
through which 30,000 farmers each received enough seed to plant half an acre with
that variety. A total of 300 mt of Chelalang seed was distributed prior to the long
rainy season, stretching from March to May (pers. comm.).
With the spread of MLN disease creating an urgent need for action, the university and the seed companies quickly reached an agreement on the provision of the
necessary breeder (EGS) seed, which was readily available in sufficient quantities.
The cost for one ton of breeder seed was approximately US$2900. Egerton did not
charge the companies a licensing fee, and under the agreement the companies pay
a 5% royalty on gross sales to the university. The marketing efforts funded by
development partners (received after the licensing agreements had been signed)
helped raise awareness among farmers and stimulate demand. Using Fig. 8.1 as an
analytical framework for assessment of this case study, the breeding had already
1 Common bean is suited to optimal average daily temperatures of 20–25 °C, and below 15 °C
seeds germinate poorly (De Ron et al. 2016).
L. K. Cramer