Pan-Africa Bean Research Alliance (PABRA)

The Pan-Africa Bean Research Alliance (PABRA) is a continent-wide agricultural research network focused on improving beans as a tool for food security and economic development. It is facilitated by the Alliance of Bioversity International and the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT), with the Alliance being part of CGIAR, a global research partnership for a food-secure future. PABRA was established by CIAT in 1996 to work across the full range of actors involved in producing beans — one of the most actively traded commodities in Africa.

PABRA operates as a partnership of African-owned regional networks, comprising an international network of bean researchers, 29 national agricultural research institutions, and more than 350 partner organizations. Its official site describes a footprint of more than 350 partners and members across 30 countries, bringing together National Agricultural Research Systems (NARS), CIAT and a number of donor organizations. Its mission is to improve bean productivity, utilization and commercialization for the benefit of the urban and rural poor, enhancing food security, income generation and health in a gender-equitable manner through partnerships across the entire bean value chain, from production to market.

PABRA has facilitated the research, development, and distribution of over 650 new bean varieties across Africa. More than 37,000 bean types — with traits such as high iron, disease resistance (e.g. root rots), heat tolerance, drought tolerance, and insect resilience — have been bred and made available to 31 countries. On average, farmers earn US$1,000 more, and US$500–800 more per hectare per season under irrigated and rainfed conditions respectively. In September 2023, PABRA was honored with the Africa Food Prize, chosen from 496 nominees, recognizing its leadership in developing bean varieties that improve farm productivity and profitability.

The alliance is led by Jean Claude Rubyogo, Director of PABRA and Global Bean Program Leader at the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT. As a research and breeding-focused network spanning production through markets, PABRA is well-positioned to integrate innovations in crop breeding, value-chain development, and agricultural commercialization.