CGA-AGRA Farmer Field Day at Kiamuringa Primary School, Embu
High Iron Beans—locally known as Nyota Beans—are a nutritious, iron-rich food that also causes fewer digestive issues, making them ideal for young people. Recognizing their value, CGA, in partnership with AGRA-Sustainably Growing Africa’s Food Systems., KALRO, HarvestPlus,, and the County Government of Embu, has been implementing the AABFIM initiative to promote bean cultivation in schools and communities, with learning institutions positioned as key offtakers.
Over the last two years, the initiative has worked with more than 3,514 farmers and trained 85 schools across Embu on sustainable High Iron Bean production.
One of the standout schools is Kiamuringa Primary School, where 548 students take part in growing maize, beans, greengrams, peas, sukuma wiki, spinach, tomatoes, and bell peppers. They also rear poultry and rabbits, not just for their own meals, but also as a source of income. These efforts are helping the students understand farming as a life skill and a pathway to food security.
Yesterday, the school hosted a Farmer Field Day in partnership with CGA, AGRA, Embu County Government, KALRO, and HarvestPlus, drawing in other schools and farming stakeholders to learn, exchange ideas, and showcase innovations. In attendance were H.E. Deputy Governor Hon. Justus Kinyua Mugo, CECM for Agriculture Hon. John Nyaga, Headteacher Rachel Njeru, AGRA’s Sammy Okita, CGA’s George Mabuka & Fredrick Obuon, KALRO’s Bernard Rono & David Karanja, among others.
As the AABFIM initiative draws closer to its end, the impact remains clear: Students’ participation is proving vital in shaping a future where schools play an active role in building resilient food systems.
