Bean production systems on Swazi nation land

An informal legume survey was conducted on Swazi Nation Land in 1991. As a sequel to this study, a formal bean survey was carried out in 1992, to identify and/or verify production systems associated with bean production Land (SNL). Research procedures, frame, sample size, and survey are described. The interviews were conducted during the period March 9 to April 16, 1992. Descriptive statistics (averages, frequencies, and cross-tabs) were used to analyze the data. Chi-square tests were used to test difference of proportions. The results show that 60 percent of the Swazi Nation Land farmers grew beans, bush speckled sugar beans being the most commonly grown variety. The majority of the farmers grew beans in pure stands. Hand planting was the most commonly used method of planting. More than 90 percent of the bean growers applied basal fertilizers on their bean fields. However, small amounts were used. Nitrogen top dress fertilizers and pesticides were also used by the farmers, but to a limited extent. The SNL farmers identified CMR beetle (Mylabris spp. and (Coryna spp.), wilting and leaf spot symptoms as their major bean pest and disease problems, respectively. The information collected in this study will, in general, be used by the Ministry of Agriculture and Co-operatives for policy formulation and ultimately, planning purposes. The results of this study will be of particular importance to the Agricultural Research Division for the development of research involving beans. In addition, this study will form a baseline for future adoption or impact studies associated with beans