Promoting rapid and sustained adoption of biofortified crops: What we learned from iron-biofortified bean delivery approaches in Rwanda

Abstract

Highlights About 29% of households in Rwanda have grown an iron-biofortified bean variety. Formal delivery approaches of iron-biofortified beans increase adoption speed. Diffusion via social networks is a major driver of rapid adoption of iron-biofortified beans. Women farmers disadopt iron-biofortified bean varieties more slowly than do male farmers.

Which Choice of Delivery Model(s) Works Best to Deliver Fortified Foods?

“…Where seeds have been successfully released, buy-in from seed companies with an established market has been critical. Options for smaller-scale village multiplication and dissemination through social networks have been successful in Rwanda [93]. Thus, a key lesson has been one of sustainability i.e., not having the adequate amount of quality planting material at the local level after initial adoption takes place [93].…”

“…Focus on methodologies that will support the focus on developing positive agronomic traits as this is still a key area of concern in biofortification as to are appropriate extension/delivery models [93].…”

“…In contrast, in Rwanda HarvestPlus used a different model by focussing on contracting farmers to produce/multiply seed and by engaging cooperatives, and small seed companies [13]. Vaiknoras et al [93] analysed two models of delivery in Rwanda for iron-biofortified beans. These were direct marketing, i.e., contracting seed multipliers to produce certified seed and farmers are able to then purchase this seed through authorised agro-dealers and the second being payback (or more recently termed “seed swap”) whereby farmers would payback a portion of their produce to HarvestPlus in exchange for seed.…”

The impact of iron-biofortified bean adoption on bean productivity, consumption, purchases and sales

“…Since 2012, HarvestPlus and its partners have promoted and distributed iron-biofortified bean planting material to small landholders in Rwanda through several delivery approaches, resulting in fast and sustained adoption of the varieties ( Vaiknoras et al, 2019 ). The approach that has reached the greatest number of farmers is direct marketing which consists of selling small packets (ranging from 200 to 500 g) of iron-biofortified bean seed to farming households in local markets.…”

“…Agrodealers also sell iron-biofortified seeds in shops. Finally, iron-biofortified planting material spreads through informal dissemination via social networks ( Vaiknoras et al, 2019 ).…”