By Milcah Kigoni | Project Leader
Your donation is helping women in Meru, Kenya grow and harvest fresh French beans, putting nutritious vegetables on their families' tables and income in their hands, one seed at a time.
In March 2026, Seed Programs International (SPI) partnered with Storm Seeds to donate 13,000 kg of French bean seed (Phaseolus vulgaris) to The Village Trust (TVT), a community-based nonprofit in Eastern Kenya dedicated to promoting food security and uplifting women in low-income communities.
This donation is part of the Planetary Pulse project, in partnership with A Well Fed World. Together, we aim to share knowledge on the benefits of growing pulses and distribute seeds of legume crops that are of interest to our local partners. Legumes such as French beans are among the most nutritious foods available. Rich in protein, fiber, and key micronutrients including iron, zinc, magnesium, and folate, they support healthy diets and have been linked to lower cholesterol and blood sugar levels. Beyond the plate, the plants themselves benefit the soil by naturally fixing nitrogen, reducing the need for chemical fertilizers and supporting long-term agricultural health.
In Kenya, French beans are an important horticultural crop. They are ready to harvest in as little as 45 days and suitable for year-round growing, which gives families a quick and reliable source of fresh vegetables. What isn't eaten at home can be sold at local markets, where French beans fetch a good price and give women a pathway to generate income and improve their livelihoods.
With this donation, TVT opened its doors to community members who could not afford to buy seeds for the season, offering them French bean seeds at no cost. For the beneficiaries, this gave them access to a resource that means both food for today and income for tomorrow.
Farmers have already begun harvesting French beans from this donation.
On behalf of the women farmers we serve, thank you for your generous support and partnership that makes such progress possible.
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