SUMMER 2016 | Volume 34, Nos. 1 & 2 FUTURES

A BOUNTY OF BEANS MSU’s hearty global impact

BEAN COUNTING: MASFRIJOL: MEET MSU’S Measuring the A partnership improving JAMES KELLY: economic importance bean productivity A masterful bean of these crops in Guatemala breeder and mentor

FUTURES | SUMMER 2016 1 FUTURES

GLOBAL PULSES 36 Meet MSU’s James Kelly: A masterful bean CONTRIBUTORS breeder and mentor Holly Whetstone 5 Editor’s Message: My first trip to Africa 38 Bringing internationally-grown beans to U.S. markets EDITOR 6 The Legume Innovation Lab (LIL): MSU’s rich Cameron Rudolph history in legume and cowpea research 40 Paying it forward: The next generation of legume scientists WRITER 12 Bean counting: Measuring the economic James Dau importance of these crops Fighting pulse insects with integrated pest 43 WRITER management 16 USAID: Feed the Future aims to help end world Marguerite Halversen

hunger, address food security 47 Michigan’s premier dry bean research center LEGUME INNOVATION expanding footprint LABORATORY Abby Lynn Rubley COVER STORY 50 Photosynthesis progress: Technological tools helping unveil secrecy of plant energy CENTER FOR GLOBAL CONNECTIONS and improve grain legume production 20 The United Nation declares 2016 the Kurt Stepnitz International Year of the Pulses. Moving from 53 Preventing malnutrition: Increasing the ‘underappreciated’ to a global stage, the light nutritional value of diets in Africa PHOTGRAPHY, MSU COMMUNICATIONS AND BRAND STRATEGY shines bright this year on the nutrient-rich crop. Leslie Johnson About the Cover: A woman, with her children, selling beans at a local market in Mozambique. COPY EDITOR, ANR FACULTY & FACILITY CREATIVE SERVICES Photo taken by Paballo Thekiso for the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Iain Bogle Three Recipes: Cooking with beans. Ceviche 56 ART DIRECTION, BCP bean salad; fresh corn tortillas and stuffed EAST LANSING, MI FEATURES tortilla recipes Printwell

58 Q & A: Meet research director Irvin Widders, PRINTER, 26 MSU has strong showing at conference in director of the Legume Innovation Laboratory TAYLOR, MI Livingstone, Zambia A special thanks to Irvin Widders, 60 Facility Focus: Saginaw Valley Research and 30 MASFRIJOL: A partnership improving bean Extension Center, a new 11,000-square-foot director of the Legume Innovation productivity in Guatemala educational facility Laboratory, for his guidance and support of this issue.

Futures is published twice per year by Michigan State University AgBioResearch. To receive Futures free of charge, write to: Futures Editor, 446 W. Circle Dr., Permission to reprint material in this issue is granted, provided the meaning is 109 Justin S. Morrill Hall of Agriculture, MSU, East Lansing, MI 48824, not changed. Credit given to the publication as the source of the material is email [email protected], or call appreciated. Use of trade names is for identification only and does not imply (517)355-0123. MSU AgBioResearch is an equal opportunity employer and complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Title endorsement or criticism of products. IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. WOMEN FARMERS TEND THEIR BEAN CROP ON A HILLSIDE BY THEIR AgBioResearch.msu.edu HOMES IN GUATEMALA

2 FUTURES | SUMMER 2016 FUTURES | SUMMER 2016 3 EDITOR’S NOTE

Experiencing Africa firsthand

I first became acquainted with Africa Later in the week, I went on a day-long thumbing through the pages of National safari in Botswana. Our tour guide, who sported Geographic. Striking images of individuals a picture-perfect smile and a sense of humor to draped in beautiful, bold prints standing match, managed to get us within arms-length along dusty horizons often dotted with exotic of several herds of elephants. He went out of wildlife. I wondered what the people were his way, even risking a mud bath of his own, to thinking and what their lives were like. ensure that we saw as many animals as possible. Earlier this year, I had the amazing Along the busy roadsides, we saw women opportunity to visit Africa for the first time. toting hefty loads atop their heads and small I was there to attend the 2016 Pan-African children waving gleefully at our passing Grain Legume and World Cowpea Conference vehicles. Even those selling local crafts at the in Livingstone, Zambia. (The United Nations border crossing between Zambia and Botswana has declared 2016 The International Year joked and laughed as they tried, most of the of the Pulses and hence, the inspiration for this time unsuccessfully, to make a sale. issue of the magazine.) In a land stricken by And I’ll never forget the young taxi driver hunger, poverty and malnutrition, I had in Johannesburg, who escorted us directly to the the opportunity to meet some of its lovely, airport terminal and waited close to an hour – kind-hearted people. without request – to make sure we safely made One large family graciously opened its our flight to Zambia. Not to mention one of the home, consisting of small thatched-roof huts conference organizers who took us into town to void of running water and electricity, to more see a pharmacist for medication (thankfully, just than 75 conference-goers. They took us on a for itchy bug bites). tour of their farm under the sub-Saharan sun. Visiting this exquisite continent I began to With knowledge imparted through a U.S. answer some of the questions I had pondered Agency for International Development (USAID) looking through those magazines many years project, the farmer was able to convert his land, ago. The people I had the fantastic opportunity once an aquaculture farm, into a successful to meet cherish life’s smallest moments, have a small-scale cowpea seed operation. Drought deep appreciation for every morsel of goodness conditions had forced the change. the earth provides (especially beans!) and are The slight man joked that, due to training individuals from whom we, Americans, can and education from USAID, he’s now known learn so much. as the “professor” and his assistants, out in To watch some of my videos from my trip the field, were busy in their “departments.” to Africa, visit our YouTube channel. Find us by One woman struck up a conversation with a searching for MSU AgBioResearch. small group of us, wanting to hear about our lives back home. She even asked one young lady to exchange numbers. Yes, cell phones are surprisingly quite common. Holly M. Whetstone

4 FUTURES | SUMMER 2016 FUTURES | SUMMER 2016 5 BY CAMERON RUDOLPH, STAFF WRITER

THE LEGUME In December 2013, the General profound achievement came in 1915 Assembly of the United Nations voted with the development of the first navy to declare 2016 the International Year bean, called Robust, which delivered INNOVATION of Pulses (IYOP). The designation, consistently high yields. which sheds light on a food source that could slash hunger and poverty, has Ensuing decades would see the LABORATORY been nearly two years in the making introduction of numerous other bean with input spanning the globe. But cultivars from MSU and recognition what exactly is a pulse? of the university as a leader in this area. During that time, MSU would “…We want to improve the livelihood of individuals Pulses are the dried seeds that come foray into research on additional from many plants in the legume family, leguminous crops. Growing expertise by alleviating hunger and poverty, and we think the according to a definition by Pulse and a commitment to diverse areas of Canada – a sponsor of IYOP. The research — such as breeding, genetics, Legume Innovation Lab (at Michigan State University) most common pulses are chickpeas, pathology and nutrition, among others dried beans, dried peas and lentils — have kept MSU at the pinnacle of is making real headway in these areas.” — all great sources of fiber, protein, legume science. and minerals such as iron, zinc and - Irvin Widders phosphorus. Pulses, as well as legumes, “We are fortunate to have some of have the nutrient capacity to transform the world’s leading bean and legume millions of lives. scientists at MSU,” said Douglas Buhler, MSU assistant vice president Michigan State University (MSU) has for research and graduate studies, a rich history of research on pulses and and director of MSU AgBioResearch. legumes, dating back to the early 1900s “The work we do in Michigan on with the establishment of the bean breeding, genetics, pest management breeding program within the Michigan and other disciplines transcends Agricultural Experiment Station (now geographic boundaries. It’s just as called MSU AgBioResearch). Frank applicable in Africa or Latin America Spragg, the program’s first breeder, as it is here. We benefit tremendously made contributions to bean studies from international collaborations, that remain relevant today. His most something our legume scientists do PROFESSOR IRVIN WIDDERS, DIRECTOR OF THE MSU LEGUME INNOVATION LAB. 6 FUTURES | SUMMER 2016 FUTURES | SUMMER 2016 7 N DECEMBER 2013, THE THE LEGUME Adams became the co-founding director GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF of the Bean/Cowpea CRSP. The program THE UNITED NATIONS INNOVATION evolved through various titles, from VOTED TO DECLARE Bean/Cowpea CRSP to the Dry Grain I2016 THE INTERNATIONAL LABORATORY Pulses CRSP. It is now the Feed the YEAR OF PULSES (IYOP). Future Innovation Lab for Collaborative THE DESIGNATION, WHICH AT MSU Research on Grain Legumes, commonly SHEDS LIGHT ON A FOOD known as the Legume Innovation SOURCE THAT COULD SLASH HAS A RICH Lab (LIL). HUNGER AND POVERTY, HAS LIL, a research and capacity- BEEN NEARLY TWO YEARS RESEARCH building program, is part of Feed the IN THE MAKING WITH INPUT Future, a U.S. presidential initiative SPANNING THE GLOBE. BUT LEGACY addressing global hunger and food WHAT EXACTLY IS A PULSE? WHICH DATES security. LIL focuses on edible grain Pulses are the dried seeds that legumes — common bean, cowpea, come from many plants in the legume TO THE pigeon pea, lima bean and many others. family, according to a definition by Pulse MSU reapplies at the end of each Canada – a sponsor of IYOP. The most EARLY 1900S program cycle to keep the LIL housed common pulses are chickpeas, dried at the university. The current cycle beans, dried peas and lentils — all great “We are fortunate to have some of ends in 2017. sources of fiber, protein, and minerals the world’s leading bean and legume Irvin Widders has been director of such as iron, zinc and phosphorus. scientists at MSU,” said Douglas LIL since 2000. Pulses, as well as legumes, have the Buhler, MSU assistant vice president “At MSU, we have visionary “We are fortunate to nutrient capacity to transform millions for research and graduate studies, and leadership by our administration and of lives. director of MSU AgBioResearch. “The recognition of the value of international have some of the world’s Michigan State University (MSU) work we do in Michigan on breeding, engagement,” Widders said. “We gain has a rich history of research on pulses genetics, pest management and other a great deal when we collaborate leading bean and legume and legumes, dating back to the early disciplines transcends geographic with others — accessing genes, 1900s with the establishment of the bean boundaries. It’s just as applicable in germplasm, new technologies, etc. scientists at MSU.” breeding program within the Michigan Africa or Latin America as it is here. We We’re one of the leading universities in - Douglas Buhler Agricultural Experiment Station (now benefit tremendously from international the country in putting together a cohort called MSU AgBioResearch). Frank collaborations, something our legume of multidisciplinary faculty to support Spragg, the program’s first breeder, scientists do exceptionally well.” the legume industry and are honored made contributions to bean studies One of the university’s largest to run the lab through partnership that remain relevant today. His most efforts involving legumes — and a major with USAID.” profound achievement came in 1915 contributor to MSU’s international A competitive grants program with the development of the first navy portfolio — occurred in 1980 with operated by LIL provided awards bean, called Robust, which delivered the introduction of the Bean/Cowpea to 10 current projects in Africa and consistently high yields. Collaborative Research Support Latin America. Each project is led by a Ensuing decades would see the Program (CRSP). researcher from a U.S. university who introduction of numerous other bean works alongside other U.S. scientists cultivars from MSU and recognition of INCREASING INTERNATIONAL and researchers from international the university as a leader in this area. IMPACT institutions. Of the 10 initiatives, three During that time, MSU would foray With funding from the U.S. Agency are led by MSU faculty members: into research on additional leguminous for International Development (USAID), James Kelly, David Kramer and Mywish crops. Growing expertise and a the Bean/Cowpea CRSP has been Maredia. LIL has also granted associate commitment to diverse areas of administered by MSU since its inception. awards to projects such as MASFRIJOL, research — such as breeding, genetics, Plant genetics professor Wayne Adams, an effort led by MSU to enhance bean pathology and nutrition, among others as well as other MSU faculty members, productivity and improve nutritional — have kept MSU at the pinnacle of saw the potential of increasing the profile outcomes in the Guatemalan highlands legume science. of legumes as an important food source. (see related article on page 30).

8 FUTURES | SUMMER 2016 FUTURES | SUMMER 2016 9 MAKING A DIFFERENCE the impacts on nutrition from adding Growers in nations such as WIDDERS legumes to the diet, especially in young Guatemala often rely on seeds passed children. Across Africa, environmental down from ancestors, resulting in poor BELIEVES enteric dysfunction (EED) poses a yields and little resistance to diseases considerable risk for children and and pests. Through MASFRIJOL, THAT THE usually develops within the first growers have begun planting beans three years of life. EED is a chronic alongside maize in the highlands. As the IMPACT OF inflammatory gut condition that results cornstalks grow, they serve as support in malabsorption of nutrients and for the beans, which climb and wind LIL — ON MSU stunting. around them. In two LIL studies underway Through LIL, plant breeders at AND THE in Malawi by faculty members from North Dakota State University (NDSU) Washington University in St. Louis are working to improve climbing bean GLOBAL and the University of Malawi College cultivars adapted to the unique region of Medicine, infants are fed a porridge for both disease and pest resistance. COMMUNITY containing bean or cowpea flour for These highly productive varieties — either six months or a year. At regular COMBATTING HUNGER & POVERTY with substantially higher yield potential — IS TRULY intervals, infant growth, biomarkers for — can transform agricultural systems gut health and bacterial ecology in feces Upper left: in the region and address poor nutrition are measured. The ongoing research IMMEASURABLE Women in a Rwandan street market through increased bean consumption. is already suggesting that intestinal “We’re breaking ground application because they use a process inflammation can be reduced and Upper right: considering the specialized nature called nitrogen fixation to convert nutrient absorption can be improved by Bean fields in Rwanda of this project and the little effort atmospheric nitrogen into a crucial eating legumes. Middle right: devoted to improving climbing beans plant growth element. Educating Juan Osorno (right) and collaborators worldwide,” said Juan Osorno, an growers in developing countries on the COMBAT HUNGER & POVERTY associate professor and dry bean role of legumes in a healthy cropping “We’re looking at how our efforts Lower right: Woman farmer in Guatemala breeder/geneticist at NDSU. “Not system improves food security, nutrition can function at the intersection of only are we introducing new varieties, and operational sustainability. agriculture, food and human health, Lower left: we’re executing a long-term plan that Also through LIL, researchers at both domestically and internationally,” Guatemalan climbing beans with maize trains Guatemalan breeders to increase Iowa State University are exploring Buhler said. “The product of much of productivity moving forward. The challenges in Mozambique and the research done by LIL fits right in Middle left: structure provided by the Legume Uganda, where declining soil quality with that objective. These are interests Irvin Widders in a Guatamalan Innovation Lab is wonderful and has is the primary constraint to increasing of ours that put us at the cutting edge of street market allowed me to focus on the science productivity of common bean, a vital science and at the same time address a and capacity building rather than source of income and food security. real-world problem.” the administrative part of a project Alternative management strategies Widders believes that the true like this.” are necessary, but adoption by local impact of LIL — on MSU and the global farmers has been low. community — is immeasurable. ADOPTION CHALLENGES The project aims to assess the “Poverty and the lack of access to Better access to new seeds is soil in these regions and collect food are some of the greatest causes of critical, but changing centuries-old data on farmers’ decision making. strife around the word,” Widders said. farming methods can be a monumental Additional objectives include “Legumes can address both of these task. New recommendations must take improving the farmers’ ability to make issues because they are nutritious and into account the motivation for current observations on soil characteristics profitable to produce. We want to management, which may include and improving soil fertility. improve the livelihood of individuals cultural or social factors. It must also be by alleviating hunger and poverty, and financially beneficial. HEALTH BENEFITS we think the Legume Innovation Lab is Economic benefits of legumes don’t Improved legume production has making real headway in these areas.” just manifest at the market. Legumes significant human health implications. To learn more about the LIL, visit reduce the need for synthetic nitrogen LIL invests in research that studies legumelab.msu.edu. v

10 FUTURES | SUMMER 2016 FUTURES | SUMMER 2016 11 ECONOMIC IMPACT

IGHER YIELDS, IMPROVED RESISTANCE TO PESTS AND DISEASES, RESILIENCE TO UNFAVORABLE CLIMATIC CONDITIONS AND IMPROVED NUTRITIONAL CONTENT ARE GOALS OF WORLDWIDE BEAN BREEDING AND DISSEMINATION PROGRAMS. BUT TESTING AND RELEASING NEW CULTIVARS AND GETTING HTHEM INTO HANDS OF GROWERS TAKE TIME AND MONEY.

Ensuring that research hits its mark is one function of Maredia, who became associate director of the Bean/ the Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Collaborative Research Cowpea Collaborative Research Support Program (now on Grain Legumes, or Legume Innovation Lab (LIL), at known as LIL) that same year, announced a new global focus Michigan State University (MSU). LIL scientists return to based on the MDGs, advising that the impact assessments communities where their research was conducted to assess its become an important means of monitoring progress. long-term payoffs. “It’s one thing to set a goal, but it is quite another to work Cynthia Donovan, LIL deputy director and MSU toward achieving it,” Maredia said. “The MDGs brought a AgBioResearch agricultural economist, said scientists considerable global investment into many projects, and we Bean generally anticipate impact as they begin crafting a plan for needed ways to monitor ourselves so that we were sure our a research project. work’s focus remained where it should.” counters “Prior to doing the science, you need to know what the A major hurdle, however, is that the adoption of new endgame is,” she said. “Whether it’s reducing crop losses, technologies such as improved varieties can take as many reducing the health effects of pesticides, reducing seed costs or as six to 10 years. This significant chunk of time makes Ensuring improving nutrition, all of those will factor into your impact assessments difficult and requires a great deal of foresight from economic over the long run.” the scientists. Mywish Maredia, professor of international development To measure the scale of a project’s impact, the researcher benefits of in the MSU Department of Agricultural, Food and Resource first needs to have a benchmark with which to compare it. In research Economics, began working with long-term economic most cases, this means conducting surveys before the project assessments over 20 years ago when she conducted research begins and following up with the same households afterward for her Ph.D. to see what, if anything, has changed. “We were looking at the impact of agricultural research This is particularly crucial in legume and other in developing countries that was funded publicly and through biotechnology research projects because effectiveness depends international research centers,” she said. “Ensuring that on being able to deliver the end products (i.e., improved seeds research projects remained accountable to their stakeholders and other inputs, innovative practices) to growers. was the focus then, but the announcement of the United “It takes many seasons and years of partnership and Nations’ Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) made the collaboration with members of the public and private sectors assessments a global priority.” to produce a new variety and get it in farmers’ fields,” Maredia Announced in 2000, the MDGs identified a new global said. “It’s a long-term process to transfer research from labs to effort to eradicate the world’s most pressing societal concerns farms, and longer still before you see farmers implement the • BY JAMES DAU, STAFF WRITER • – extreme hunger and poverty, universal primary education, technology at scale. You want to see the kind of impact that the gender equality, child mortality, maternal health, major research you invested in 10 years ago has had on the livelihoods diseases such as HIV and malaria, environmental sustainability of the people for whom you developed it.” and global cooperation.

12 FUTURES | SUMMER 2016 FUTURES | SUMMER 2016 13 the kind that shows Congress the importance of continuing to support these efforts.” Mywish Maredia, professor Though they’re useful for ECONOMIC IMPACT summarizing the effects of research of international development projects, the impact assessments have OF THE LEGUME several other uses. They are invaluable in the MSU Department data-driven resources that scientists of Agricultural, Food and INNOVATION can use to help determine the direction of future research. Resource Economics, began LABORATORY (LIL) “Breeders often emphasize increasing crop yield, but impact working with long-term assessments have shown that isn’t Released 28 bean varieties in Honduras, economic assessments over 20 always the feature most valuable in 28 Nicaragua, El Salvador and Costa Rica, bean certain communities,” Donovan said. years ago when she conducted which have improved crop yields by varieties “In some cases, high-yield bean varieties research for her Ph.D. approximately 50 percent. don’t see high adoption rates in the field because they may not meet consumer 42 percent of Senegal’s cowpea land needs so the market is limited. By uses LIL-developed varieties, valued

conducting impact assessment $78.6 at approximately $78.6 million. million surveys, we’re able to look beyond single objectives like yield LIL-developed small red bean and red and see the whole picture.” mottled bean varieties have generated over $359 million in Ecuador and MSU professor of Agricultural, $359+ THE IMPACT OF IMPACT Central America, where they occupy Food, and Resource Economics million in ASSESSMENTS 67 percent of small red beans and Ecuador Cynthia Donovan. & CA Impact assessments are 50 percent of red mottled beans. especially important for legumes, a crop group Approximately 30 percent of cowpeas A LEGACY OF HIGH-IMPACT historically undervalued despite in Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, RESEARCH its significant role in health Mali, Niger, Nigeria and Senegal LIL has conducted long-term $295 and nutrition. are protected from pests using economic impact assessments around million “Impact assessments are LIL-developed double-and triple- the world, providing statistical critically important for showing bagging technology, representing evidence to demonstrate the the value of legumes,” Donovan savings of an estimated $295 million. importance of legume research. Between 1990 and 2010, LIL said. “In the past, not showing An assessment published in scientists released 90 varieties of beans, their impact has done their economic In 2014, LIL scientists released a bush January 2013 revealed that cowpea including 45 small red bean cultivars, and dietary importance a disservice, bean variety to farmers in the 3x varieties developed by LIL scientists to growers in the Central American and this is a way to correct that.” annual Guatemalan highlands that doubled, accounted for approximately 42 percent nations of Honduras, El Salvador, Studying the role of legumes in yields and in some cases tripled, their of the total planting area in Senegal’s Nicaragua and Costa Rica. An impact national economies has convinced many annual yield. three largest cowpea-growing regions assessment from July 2012 revealed of their importance. and contributed $78.6 million in that the red bean varieties accounted “Grain legumes are particularly economic value. for 67 percent of the total bean area, important crops in all the countries LIL researchers trained over 600 women “The high adoption rate, combined 600+ generating over $350 million. I’ve worked in,” Donovan added. “In farmers from Ghana in pest, disease trained with improvements in yield, led to “Central America has a major one form or another, they’re key for and drought management practices. overall welfare benefits significantly market for beans, so to see our work providing protein and income to exceeding research, development and have that kind of impact there is really humans and nitrogen to soils. Watching extension costs,” Maredia explained. amazing,” Donovan said. “The project the dynamics of the trade and LIL researchers trained 496 producers “The findings indicated not only boosted not only agriculture itself but employment sectors of these economies, from Senegal in seed production and 496 the success of our distribution of also the seed production industries I realize it’s important to develop postharvest practices. trained the technology but also of cowpea’s around the local communities. This robust rural economies, and grain suitability to the region.” is the kind of research we like to do, legumes are an intrinsic part of that.” v

14 FUTURES | SUMMER 2016 FUTURES | SUMMER 2016 15 FEED THE FUTURE GOAL Sustainably Reduce Global Poverty & Hunger PULLING PEOPLE INDICATORS: Prevalence of poverty & FROM POVERTY Prevalence of underweight and stunted children OBJECTIVE OBJECTIVE Inclusive Agriculture sector growth Improved Nutritional Status TO PROSPERITY (WOMEN & CHILDREN) Feed the Future initiatives reinvest in agriculture + Improved Expanded Increased Increased Increased Improved Improved Improved use of agricultural markets investment employment resilience of access to nutrition-related maternal & child productivity & in opportunities vulnerable diverse & behaviors health & nutrition trade agriculture in targeted communities & quality foods services & value households nutrition- chains related activities

INANCIAL TURMOIL IN 2007 n Advance global agricultural development. AND 2008 PUSHED MILLIONS n Increase food production and food security. OF PEOPLE WORLDWIDE TO n Improve nutrition and decrease stunting, particularly for THE EDGE OF POVERTY. FUEL vulnerable populations such as women and children. AND FOOD PRICES HAD HIT The priorities of Michigan State University (MSU) align closely with FALL-TIME HIGHS, CATAPULTING BASIC those of Feed the Future. MSU President Lou Anna K. Simon said there is a high STAPLES SUCH AS RICE, BEANS AND economic payoff from agricultural research when farmers adopt WHEAT BEYOND THE REACH OF MANY technologies and other innovations. That is why MSU researchers work closely, VULNERABLE PEOPLE. not only with commodity organizations in Michigan, but also with farmers This spike in costs arrived on the agricultural development and regional around the globe. heels of a 30-year decline in agricultural trade. This built on efforts underway “Providing practical solutions to investment and served as a wake-up call by leaders in Africa to invest in and everyday challenges, especially those to policymakers. Clearly, more needed revitalize agriculture as a means for in agriculture, will reap dividends for to be done to address the symptoms of pulling residents out of poverty. everyone in the long run,” Simon said. Threshing pigeonpea in a village food insecurity and break the cycle of Then in 2010, under the direction “Much of what we discover in our in Shan State of Myanmar. The poverty, hunger and crisis. of President Obama, the U.S. State research can be applied elsewhere, here whole plant is harvested, then Reinvesting in agriculture was Department officially launched the at home and around the world.” it’s beaten over a mat or sheet key. Under the Bush administration, Feed the Future initiative, with Under Feed the Future, 24 so that the pods split open and the United States allocated resources implementation of the program through innovation laboratories were created. the grain falls out. The grains to boost agricultural productivity, the U.S. Agency for International These endeavors tap into the scientific strengthen supply chains, and promote Development (USAID). The main are gathered and winnowed to excellence of more than 65 U.S. colleges sound market-based principles for objectives are to: get the dust off. and universities, including MSU. The BY ABBY LYNN RUBLEY Photo by Duncan Boughton Contributing Writer 16 FUTURES | SUMMER 2016 FUTURES | SUMMER 2016 17 pioneer land-grant university is home to 2. Gender integration. There is a two Feed the Future labs: the Feed the focus on helping women — who do the Future Innovation Lab for Collaborative bulk of food production in developing Research on Grain Legumes (Legume countries — gain access to land and Innovation Lab or LIL) and the Feed the other needed resources. The goal is to Future Innovation Lab for Food Security find a way to not only recognize them Policy (Food Security Policy Lab). Total for their contributions but also find funding for LIL, including associate ways to better support their work. awards, is $35 million; and for the Food 3. Improved nutrition. With a Security Policy Lab, $70 million. major focus on the first 1,000 days of life, The labs at MSU, one of the most Feed the Future is putting significant highly funded universities engaged in resources into improving the nutrition the global development of food security, of women and children in developing work to develop climate-resilient crops countries. MSU’s MASFRIJOL project and livestock that tolerate warmer which is focused on increasing the climates, better withstand drought, protein intake the of the world’s most and resist pests and diseases. In mid- malnourished people in the Western 2015, Feed the Future announced an Highlands of Guatemala is a perfect investment of $140 million in a series example of this work. of partnerships over the next three 4. Increased agricultural years. These partnerships are expected the Future,” Bertram said. “MSU knows of the people in developing countries,” production. Recent studies to deliver climate-resilient seeds and how to do this work and does it well, as Neisler said. suggest that every 1 percent associated technologies to 11 million evidenced by the continued success of The world population is expected increase in agricultural income family farms across Africa. their projects.” to grow from 7 billion to 9 billion by per capita reduces the number of Rob Bertram, chief scientist for Gretchen Neisler, director of 2050, and global hunger and chronic people living in extreme poverty 7 million farmers gain access to new the Bureau for Food Security at the by between 0.6 and 1.8 percent. the Center for Global Connections malnutrition/undernutrition are tools or technologies such as high- USAID, said the professional skills expected to increase even faster, Feed the Future strives to yielding seeds, fertilizer application, soil of researchers and the effectiveness in Food, Agriculture and Natural especially in developing countries. increase agricultural production conservation and water management. of their respective institutions are Resources (CGC) at MSU, said MSU According to the USAID, worldwide and the incomes of both men and These increases represent the critical to the development and was successful in securing the two food demand will increase by 40 percent women in rural areas who rely on maturation and full mobilization of the adaptation of innovations that drive innovation laboratories because of its to 70 percent by 2050 depending on agriculture for their livelihoods. initiative through its many partnerships long-term agricultural productivity and roster of world-renowned agricultural income growth and chronic health 5. Engagement with the with host-country governments, the sustainability. researchers with proven track records. issues in developing countries. Feed private sector. This speaks private sector, the research community “Working in partnership with “MSU’s success has been apparent support food security, agricultural the Future is a key step in addressing to core business interests while also and others. universities such as MSU was and in our ability to both adequately use productivity and good nutrition those needs. addressing critical development Through Feed the Future and continues to be a top priority of Feed our skill base and understand the needs continues to grow stronger. In 2014, objectives. These “win-win” Feed the Future is focusing on Feed the Future had: other efforts, the U.S. government has partnerships advance the impact of 19 countries, selected on the basis of: n Supported more than $500 million partnered with other donors and other n sustainable development and foster Level of need. in new agricultural sales, a countries to continue to elevate food n private-sector-led growth in emerging Opportunity for partnership. 200 percent increase over the security and nutrition to the top of the n Potential for agricultural growth. markets, a critical step in reducing previous year. global development agenda. The efforts n Opportunity for regional synergy. poverty, fighting hunger and improving n Increased the number of individuals are aimed at addressing the root causes n Resource availability. nutrition. trained in improving agriculture and of food insecurity, increasing economic The USAID has a six-pronged 6. Research and capacity food security by 40 percent. stability and helping avoid recurrent approach to making the focus countries building. Given the challenges n Increased new agriculture-related food crises. food-secure: associated with providing sufficient public-private partnerships by Feed the Future includes efforts 1. Climate-smart development. food for a growing population, research 90 percent. by the USAID; the U.S. Departments of Feed the Future and partners such and capacity building in agriculture and n Increased the number of people State: Agriculture, Commerce, Treasury as MSU are working with farmers, nutrition are necessary to increase food trained to support child health and and Geological Survey; the African governments and researchers to assess security and help developing countries nutrition by 150 percent. Development Foundation; the Office the effects of potential climate change feed themselves. During the same timeframe, of the U.S. Trade Representative; the on food production while helping In countries supported by Feed Feed the Future also reached more Millennium Challenge Corporation; An interview with villagers in the Delta area of Myanmar to better understand the farmers mitigate any damage that might the Future and other large-scale U.S. than 12 million children with nutrition the Overseas Private Investment problems they face in agriculture. occur as a result of climate change. government efforts, local capacity to interventions and helped nearly Corporation and the Peace Corps. v

18 FUTURES | SUMMER 2016 FUTURES | SUMMER 2016 19 MOVING TO A GLOBAL STAGE

Light shines bright on nutrient-rich crop during 2016 Year of the Pulses

• BY JAMES DAU, STAFF WRITER •

20 FUTURES | SUMMER 2016 FUTURES | SUMMER 2016 21 COVER STORY

“PULSES HAVE BEEN AN ESSENTIAL PART OF THE HUMAN DIET FOR CENTURIES, YET THEIR NUTRITIONAL VALUE IS NOT GENERALLY RECOGNIZED AND IS FREQUENTLY UNDERAPPRECIATED.”

With these words, director- as one of the most – if not the most – declaration is certainly warranted general of the United Nations (UN) undervalued family of crops. because of the crops’ nutritional value, Food and Agriculture Organization The extensive history of pulses especially in developing countries. (FAO) José Graziano da Silva officially within cultures can be attributed “They are agronomically and ushered in the 2016 International Year to their numerous nutritional and nutritionally important in the United of Pulses (IYP). As part of the UN’s agricultural benefits. High in protein, States and globally, and bringing the effort to promote sustainable food fiber, iron, zinc, phosphorus and other attention of the world community to production and increased food security nutrients, pulses are a complement to them can only help increase awareness and nutrition around the planet, IYP is cereal crops such as rice, wheat and of that fact,” he said. meant to highlight the importance of corn. They are particularly critical This sentiment is the driving pulse crops. for populations that cannot afford force behind the IYP. Despite healthful Pulses are a subgroup of legumes to rely heavily on animal food sources benefits, pulse production has that produce edible seeds that are for protein. experienced a decline in recent years harvested for dry grain. These include Legumes also fix nitrogen in the as agricultural economies have turned such regular denizens of the Western soil, which reduces the farmer’s reliance more and more toward cereal grains. diet as kidney beans, navy beans, on fertilizer inputs when they are Sieglinde Snapp, professor in chickpeas and many lentils. All told, used in crop rotation. Their added the MSU Department of Plant, Soil hundreds of varieties of pulses are biomass as a cover crop improves soil and Microbial Sciences, said it’s grown worldwide. organic matter, which helps retain important to draw attention to pulses, Traces of pulse production water and nutrients under drought especially now. dating back to 3300 B.C. have been conditions. They also require less water “There’s been a slight decline in discovered around the Ravi River in than many other crops, so they are more pulse consumption almost everywhere the Punjab region of modern-day India drought-resistant. in the world except South Asia because and Pakistan, the seat of the Indus Researchers at Michigan State of the promotion of cereals, which Valley civilization, one of the earliest University (MSU) are praising the UN’s receive the bulk of government attention human societies. Evidence of pulse declaration of 2016 as the International and research funding,” she said. “We consumption has also been found in Year of Pulses for shedding light on the need investment in pulses — they Egyptian pyramids and in Swiss villages often overlooked and underloved crops. haven’t received the attention they dating back to the Stone Age. Despite James Kells, chairperson of the deserve in years.” their historic ubiquity, pulses are often MSU Department of Plant, Soil and The IYP declaration has reaffirmed described by the research community Microbial Sciences, said the UN MSU’s commitment to continue pulse

22 FUTURES | SUMMER 2016 FUTURES | SUMMER 2016 23 COMBATTING HUNGER & POVERTY

Upper left: James Kells

Upper right: Bowls of different pulses

Michigan State University’s Sieglinde Snapp (second from right) in Malawi with farmers. Middle right: Pulses ready to be cooked research aimed at delivering better, annually contribute $150 million to these countries stand to reap many healthier cultivars to areas of the world the state’s economy, according to the benefits from the production of pulses. Lower right: A bean farmer at work needing them the most. Michigan Bean Commission. Bringing improved pulse cultivars to William “Vance” Baird, professor Recognizing the economic and the region is an important step to Lower left: and chairperson of the MSU nutritional significance of beans, MSU increase food security and improve Village with nearby bean fields Department of Horticulture, said the has taken a leading role in pulse research health and nutrition. IYP helps to justify the efforts behind that has implications worldwide. “If we can get more legumes in Middle left: legume research. “Since pulses are important to the region, that will mean more fodder Bean varieties being viewed by “To see the crop group recognized the world and to Michigan, they are for livestock, more biomass to protect Rwandan villagers on this stage validates the continuation important to MSU,” Kells says. “We have the soil and more high-quality grain of those efforts beyond the local, leading genetics and breeding programs for family nutrition,” Snapp said. “We regional or even national level to in our department that are important to need all of these things to get better a worldwide focus,” he said. growers and to the industry at large.” returns on the cash crops such as corn “To see the positive impacts that “Some of the bean research we do or sorghum. They really benefit from the pulses have for the human population at MSU is second to none,” Snapp adds. diversity that pulses provide.” recognized and featured so prominently “In my own work, I see pulses as an Baird said MSU is well-poised to provides the opportunity to continue essential part of a greener revolution in develop sustainable ways to increase the growth and development of still Africa.” yields, improve stress tolerance, better crops and practices.” In the east African nations of boost nutritional value and advance Pulses have been an important Malawi and Tanzania, where much postharvest processing. segment of agriculture in Michigan of Snapp’s work is concentrated, “I think MSU’s strength in plant since they were introduced in the 1880s. chemical fertilizer is two and 10 times as sciences – its combination of expertise The state, which is home to a quarter expensive as in Michigan, respectively, in cutting-edge plant science and of a million acres of edible dry beans, and supplies are extremely limited. breeding – is crucial as we move ranks second only to North Dakota in Consequently, the ability of pulses to fix forward with crop improvements that production. The 12 classes of edible soil nitrogen in these regions is critical. allow producers to grow pulses more dry beans grown by Michigan farmers Because of poor soil health and drought, efficiently,” Baird said. v

24 FUTURES | SUMMER 2016 FUTURES | SUMMER 2016 25 BY HOLLY M. WHETSTONE, EDITOR

Zambian Minister of Agriculture Given Lubinda (red tie) chats with dignitaries and guest speakers, including MSU Assistant Vice President of Research and Graduate Studies Douglas Buhler (far right) at the 2016 Joint Pan-African Grain #Legumes4Africa Legume and Cowpea Conference held in Livingstone, Zambia earlier this year. WORLD LEADERS CONVENE IN ZAMBIA TO TALK PULSE IMPROVEMENTS

“We must put the hand Pests and diseases, low soil fertility, poor and administered through Michigan State agronomic practices and climate change, University (MSU) – took a leadership hoe where it belongs – in the along with increased populations, have role in organizing the conference. Other prevented beans from reaching their partners included the International museum – because it does not full potential in this region of the world Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA), where hunger, poverty and malnutrition the Centro Internacional de Agricultura have a place in agriculture are daily challenges. Tropical (CIAT) and the Zambia In his speech, Lubinda talked about Ministry of Agriculture. today. The African woman, the growing world population and the It was the sole signature subsequent need to increase the global international event in Africa to the African youth cannot food supply by 70 percent by 2050. He celebrate the United Nations Food and continue to till the land said he is particularly concerned over Agriculture Organization proclamation the lack of agricultural technology in his of the 2016 International Year of Pulses with such back-breaking, homeland and the deterrence it poses to (IYP). The designation highlights the future generations of farmers. importance of edible grain legumes inefficient and archaic tools.” “The youths are leading smart to improving the livelihoods of rural lives,” he said. “The youths will only be farmers, especially women; human health These words were delivered by involved in smart agriculture, and unless and nutrition; and the sustainability of Zambian Minister of Agriculture Given we take the hand hoe away, I’m afraid the agricultural systems worldwide. Lubinda as part of his opening remarks population of farmers will perish.” The MSU delegation of 22 faculty for the 2016 Joint Pan-African Grain In addition to the lack of modern and staff members was led by Douglas Legume and Cowpea Conference in agricultural tools, African agriculture Buhler, MSU assistant vice president of Livingstone, Zambia. More than 520 is stymied by poor access to high- research and graduate studies, and Irvin registered participants from 46 countries yielding, drought-resistant legume Widders and Cynthia Donovan, director throughout sub-Saharan Africa, Latin seed and market chain supply, and and deputy director of LIL, respectively. America, the United States and India opposition to crop diversity. Most In his remarks, Buhler – gathered to discuss ways to boost farming is done on a small-scale basis, the lone academic institution productivity, intensify cropping systems, primarily by women, some whom bear representative on the conference improve human nutrition and develop children who suffer stunted growth due panel of honored dignitaries – said value chains of grain legumes. to poor diets and lack of proper nutrition. he is sometimes questioned in the Sub-Saharan Africa was chosen In an effort to help find solutions United States about the importance of as the site of the conference because of to these challenges, the Feed the Future conducting international research. its traditionally poor bean production. Legume Innovation Lab (LIL) – housed at “I will often be asked and challenged

26 FUTURES | SUMMER 2016 FUTURES | SUMMER 2016 27 by some of our investment partners as to low costs and low risks involved. In addition to raising awareness, on food security, income security, agriculture in Africa” through why we have people in our departments “Most of us realize that the small GPC is working to improve food nutritional security and feed security. commercialization and modern-day 75% and investments in faculty in other parts farmers in Africa are getting two to security and nutrition by encouraging He said that climate change and the mechanization. of the world’s of the world when we have plenty of three times lower production rates than students to pursue technology and need for sustainable farming practices “In this paradigm [in Africa], poorest countries problems and things to do at home,” what can be done on research station new uses of pulses while advocating are adding more pressure to find agriculture continues to support the are located in Africa. he said. sites,” Ehlers said. “That is generally for additional research. Compared with solutions to feed the growing world much needed jobs for our youths and the “The simple answer to that is due to what I would call under- other crops such as maize, legumes lag population. much needed incomes for our women,” In 2013, the 10 countries we gain more from our partnerships management – lack of use of improved far behind in external funding support, “Grain legumes are often referred to Lubinda said. with the highest proportion than our partners do. I would also add seeds, poor varieties and suboptimal use Anderson said. as the ‘poor people’s meat,’” Akinbamijo David Bergvinson, director general of residents living in extreme that, with agriculture and food being of agronomic practices.” “There is currently a $177 million said. “They’re extremely important to of the International Crop Research poverty (less than $1.25 per

such a global industry, it’s actually Robynne Anderson, founder of investment in research for the 13 crops those who cannot afford meat, milk or Institute for Tropical Agriculture, day) were all in sub-Saharan Africa. an important element for our faculty Emerging Ag Inc., said she is working considered pulses,” Anderson said. “This fish to meet their protein needs.” emphasized the need not to lose sight of

and our students to be internationally with the Global Pulse Confederation means we would need a tenfold increase The conference presentations the smallholder farmer. He added that

engaged, and this is one way to do that.” (GPC) to help lead the pulse industry to to reach the $1 billion investment in focused on all facets of grain legume continued partnerships are necessary 1 in 4 undernourished Jeff Ehlers, program officer with major crop status by facilitating free and research for corn alone.” production, from genetics to seed to transform food systems and address people in the world the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation fair trade and increasing production and Conference keynote speaker Yemi selection and from nutritional benefits poverty and hunger. live in Africa. – another conference co-sponsor – said consumption of pulses worldwide. She Akinbamijo, executive director of the to workforce gender issues. In addition, “More and more governments, the importance of research on such said that as of the end of February, GPC Forum for Agriculture Research in some 60 scholarships were awarded to whether in India or Zambia, are There are 33 million family topics as crop breeding and integrated had hosted pulse events in 36 countries Africa, said there may never be a greater African scientists and graduate students recognizing the role of pulses,” farms of less than 2 hectares pest management through institutions and engaged 200 million people on time to speak about grain legumes to attend and present papers. Bergvinson said. “If we stay focused on in Africa; that’s 80 percent such as MSU is critical because of the Twitter (#ilovepulses, #IYP2016). because of their significant impacts In finishing his opening remarks, the farm, we will have a much better of farms. Only 3 percent of Lubinda urged conference attendees story to tell in 2020.” v farms in Africa have more than 10 hectares. to support efforts to advance “smart GRAIN LEGUMES ARE OFTEN REFERRED TO AS THE 64%+ of African ‘POOR PEOPLE’S MEAT.’ THEY’RE EXTREMELY IMPORTANT women work in agriculture, TO THOSE WHO CANNOT AFFORD MEAT, MILK OR FISH producing an estimated 80 percent of food resources. TO MEET THEIR PROTEIN NEEDS. - Yemi Akinbamijo Less than 20 percent of African women have access to education.

Women in sub-Saharan Africa are more than 230 times more likely to die during childbirth or pregnancy than women in North America.

Preschool children in Africa suffer the highest rate of stunting because of malnutrition — an estimated 37% Some 589 million people live without electricity in sub- Saharan Africa.

28 FUTURES | SUMMER 2016 FUTURES | SUMMER 2016 29 SPREADING THE MESSAGE FOR BETTER HEALTH IN THE HIGHLANDS OF GUATEMALA

MASFRIJOL = ‘MORE BEANS’

• BY MARGUERITE HALVERSEN, CONTRIBUTING WRITER •

30 FUTURES | SUMMER 2016 FUTURES | SUMMER 2016 31 said Sharon Hoerr, a nutritionist with MASFRIJOL and professor emerita from the Michigan State University (MSU) Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition. “A high-quality protein contains the nine essential amino acids that humans must get from food for proper nutrition, health and growth. Beans and maize both contain incomplete proteins; if combined during the same day, however, they form an excellent high-quality protein.” Critical problems also lie in the population’s limited understanding of the nutritional value of beans, Beans, a nutrient-dense food with of agriculture” – are grown in the which are often dismissed in favor a high percentage of protein, may seem highlands, and they’re eaten in of processed foods. Consequently, A mobile educational unit travels to different remote communities in the highlands of Guatemala, educating locals. a likely answer to remedy Guatemala’s disproportionate amounts for proper beans are not always consumed when malnutrition problem, but the solution nutrition. The ratio of maize to they’re available. Instead, farm families ENTER MASFRIJOL Hunapú, ICTA Superchiva and ICTA developed technical guides and videos frequently sell their beans to purchase isn’t quite that straightforward. bean consumption is 97:3 for most In 2013, Irvin Widders, professor Altense – were developed by the that focus on key training messages. less nutritional foods. Local farmers don’t grow enough households. A diet this high in corn in the MSU Department of Institute of Agricultural Science and “Key messages are limited to Furthermore, poor farmers possess beans to meet the nutritional needs does not provide the necessary protein Horticulture and director of the Technology (Instituto de Ciencia y three to five per topic, so farmers and limited means to safely store beans for of the people. Limited access to and other nutrients to promote healthy Feed the Future Legume Innovation Tecnología Agrícola [ICTA]) to improve families can remember to put them into more than a month or two. Open plastic farmland and elevations greater than growth and development. Lab (LIL), and Luis Flores, assistant bean yields in the inhospitable, high- practice at home,” said Celina Wille, containers attract weevils and other 2,500 meters above sea level make bean “To achieve a high-quality professor in the MSU Department altitude elevations of the region. MASFRIJOL agricultural extension insect pests that can quickly devastate production difficult. protein — equivalent to that of meat of Community Sustainability and Through its collaboration with the specialist and MSU assistant professor a harvest, making beans, at best, a Maize, beans and squash – — the recommended corn-to-bean MASFRIJOL project principal Guatemalan Ministry of Agriculture of community sustainability. “We don’t seasonal food source. also known as the “three sisters consumption ratio should be 70:30,” investigator, proposed a project to (Ministerio de Agricultura, Ganadería y want to overwhelm them with too address the problems facing Guatemala. Alimentación), the project also provides much information but build on the They realized that improving nutrition farmers training on soil preparation, knowledge they have — and then lead in the western highlands required the seed germination and safe bean them to new skills for growing and following goals: storage postharvest. The training helps consuming more beans. n Increasing bean yields. farmers improve their integrated crop “For example, in our training n Increasing bean consumption. management, enabling them to grow on seed storage — one of 15 training n Improving nutrition education, more beans on their land and safely modules offered through MASFRIJOL especially about the long-term health store the increased yields long-term. As — we make sure participants benefits of proper nutrition. a result, beans can last up to six months understand exactly how to use special A year later, in 2014, the U.S. after harvest. plastic bags to store and preserve Agency for International Development “By relying on the expertise of their grain for six to 12 months, and (USAID) and USAID’s Guatemala established public and private sector that optimal seed humidity for bean Mission awarded funds to the LIL agencies and organizations in the region, storage is less than 14 percent. The to initiate MASFRIJOL, Spanish for MASFRIJOL has been able to extend science behind these principles is “more beans.” The project is a four- its impact to reach greater numbers interesting, but the farmers don’t need year Associate Award to the Leader of farmers in even the most remote to understand such details to use the Award for the LIL to increase bean areas of the highlands,” said Salvador bags, so training doesn’t emphasize consumption in the Western Highlands Castellanos, national director of the them. We focus on practical skills that through agricultural interventions and Guatemala MASFRIJOL office. “The can be easily applied.” nutrition education. partnerships have effectively linked the And applied they are. Many farmers MASFRIJOL began its work by agriculture and nutrition education who had become used to inferior seed providing 15,000 smallholder farmers activities to ensure that farming families quality and assumed that beans were each with 5 pounds of high-quality are not only growing more beans but difficult and risky to produce have seed of improved, disease-resistant eating more of the beans they’ve grown.” reported twofold bean yield increases. bean varieties adapted to the unique To support these lessons and And most are saving beans for family agroecology of the region. These facilitate technology adoption, consumption and the next planting altitude-appropriate varieties – ICTA MASFRIJOL’s training team has season instead of selling them. Michigan State University’s MASFRIJOL in the highlands of Guatemala educating locals about the benefits of proper nutrition.

32 FUTURES | SUMMER 2016 FUTURES | SUMMER 2016 33 Safe storage is critical to ensuring maize and improved health. that provides calories but little nutrition. increased bean consumption beyond the With its partners, MASFRIJOL has They also include instruction and month or two after harvest. Weevils, developed culture-sensitive educational practice on how to prepare an appetizing which are attracted to open containers of materials that accommodate the literacy bean-based porridge often enjoyed by beans, are the main threat to bean quality and language barriers of the target young children. NO MOUNTAIN and can destroy a stored harvest in a populations, including a coloring book month. GrainPro storage bags, which are for children focused on making healthy TWO YEARS AFTER ITS TOO HIGH: made of three extruded layers of a special food choices. Lessons include dietary FORMATION, MASFRIJOL plastic material and distributed through information designed for both the REPORTS THAT: BRINGING MASFRIJOL, have helped prevent the general adult population and the more n Families consume more beans at infiltration of weevils and other pests vulnerable populations of women of family meals (at least three times BEAN into stored beans. childbearing age and young children. a week). Locally operated community seed Bean and nutrition fairs are n Infants and children younger than EDUCATION depots are also being developed to held to unite communities and raise 5 years are being fed more beans on a ensure that quality planting seeds will awareness of the importance of bean daily basis instead of a predominantly TO FARMERS continue to be available to farmers who consumption. Held in open fields maize-based diet. are unable to save seed from harvest or community markets, educational n Families are learning to measure how because of unexpected agricultural activities include informational and many pounds of beans they need per challenges or other problems. instructional videos, taste testing, week to meet their food requirements. recipe contests and projects that engage Although there is more work to do Nutrition educators understand that meeting people in their villages NUTRITION EDUCATION community members directly. A video on and more people to reach, MASFRIJOL Within months of the improved protein complementarity, for example, is succeeding in its project goals. at times convenient to them is critical to the success of MASFRIJOL. seed distribution and crop management is followed by a discussion on how to Families are growing and eating more education, MASFRIJOL, working proportionally integrate maize and beans beans and sharing them with neighbors. The indigenous people of Guatemala’s Western Children, typically under the age of 4, usually accompany with the Guatemalan Ministry of into favorite recipes. MASFRIJOL teams have empowered Highlands lack the means and the time to travel to their mothers. In addition to lessons on combining maize Health (Ministerio de Salud Pública Other teaching programs focus on communities to manage improved educational gatherings away from home. So MASFRIJOL and beans for healthier all-family meals, teachings emphasize de Guatemala), began establishing the dietary health of children, including varieties on a sustainable basis and comes to them — a plan that sounds easier than it is. Roads meeting the special nutritional needs of young children, nutrition education programs to increase how to make a bean-based formula implement technologies and practices to are often unpaved and consist of a series of narrow hairpin for whom complete proteins ensure proper growth and the understanding of the link between for young children to replace atole, a grow and consume more beans in turns that rise and fall throughout the mountains. An 80- development. regular consumption of beans with maize-sugar beverage given to infants the future. v mile trip can easily require three to four hours of driving, “We often measure the young children and then discuss sometimes followed by hikes ranging from five to 35 minutes. their measurements against a normal growth chart,” Molina To reach these remote villages, MASFRIJOL purchased said. “Since children are often small for their age, explanations Growing black beans in coffee fields and equipped four mobile multifunctional training units that and demonstrations on how to make a bean-based formula for serve as classrooms. These four-wheel-drive trucks, staffed by infants are central to the lessons.” Like most of his neighbors, Carlos Dominguez, a smallholder trained technicians and equipped with audiovisual projectors, This bean-based formula, which ensures that children farmer in Tierra Blanca La Vega — a community in Guatemala’s educational materials, and up-to-date bean and nutrition regularly receive a quality protein in their diet, replaces western highlands — depends on subsistence agriculture education technologies, stop in gathering places that villagers the ever-present corn sugar-based atole, which provides for survival. And Dominquez says his life has steadily grown more difficult each year with decreased crop production and, can easily reach on foot, such as schools and churches. calories but no nutrition. Disseminating information on this consequently, reduced family income. “Typically, prearranged village meetings begin around nutrient-dense and delicious formula is critical to achieving Agricultural challenges include low soil fertility and crop 10 a.m., after older children have headed to school but before MASFRIJOL’s goals. yield, poor seed quality and varieties, and lack of crop diversity. lunch preparation begins, to allow the greatest number of While mothers learn how to prepare bean-based During particularly trying times, Dominguez and families like his people to attend,” said Carolina Molina, monitoring and meals for family members of various ages, children color in have trouble growing enough food and are forced to buy food evaluation specialist from the Guatemala MASFRIJOL office. books that feature nutritious food combinations. Practicing despite dwindling incomes. In fact, 65 percent of the population in “Many of these women farm their family’s land and make recipes allows everyone to learn and to taste some of the Tierra Blanca La Vega is poor, with 20 percent extremely poor. And Dominguez intercropped Altense instead of maize with coffee decisions about family meals, so the meeting time needs to recommended dishes, which are based on traditional hunger and undernutrition are common. plants, breaking with the traditional cropping system. This allowed work with their schedules. Mayan foods. Last year, however, Dominguez harvested 200 pounds of him to maintain his cash crop while growing food for his family. “The educational events serve as social gatherings for After class, attendees leave, not only having enjoyed black beans, which provided 100 pounds of food for his family With the improved bean variety Altense in his fields, Dominguez the villagers where MASFRIJOL educators can provide the gathering but also equipped with new information, along with seed for the upcoming planting season. This windfall was committed to participating in the technical training on the hands-on information on healthy dietary choices that are easy meal plans and strategies for implementing beans into grew out of the USAID-supported MASFRIJOL project. The agronomic management of bean crops provided by MASFRIJOL collaboration with ANACAFE (the Guatemalan National Coffee Extension agronomists and adding the recommended organic to incorporate into daily meals, especially since recipes are their daily diet. The hope is that the new understanding Association) and rural value chains distributed 5 pounds of the fertilizer to his field to produce the best yield possible. provided and practiced at the gatherings. The videos shown of nutritional needs for proper growth and development improved variety of bean seed called Altense to each smallholder Mario Tello, a MASFRIJOL extension specialist, visited the from the mobile units also make learning about nutrition motivate them to put what they’ve learned into practice. farmer, including those who hadn’t traditionally grown beans. Dominguez family after their first bean harvest and found that interesting for the attendees, who don’t generally have access A monitoring process is underway to determine families’ Farmers in Dominguez’s village along with 16 other communities Dominguez had already planted a second improved bean seed to television and enjoy the opportunity to see shows.” bean consumption after the intervention. within the municipality received the seed in 2014. crop, this time with tomatoes.

34 FUTURES | SUMMER 2016 FUTURES | SUMMER 2016 35 a series of short-term goals. Along the baked beans could be labeled GMO way, he works closely with farmers and because they contain sugar, a GMO crop. the processing industry to ensure that Either way, Kelly said he is irritated by A masterful bean they are pleased with the final product. the GMO backlash because engineered When asked which of the bean varieties traits such as disease resistance, insect he considers to be his crowning resistance and herbicide resistance achievement, Kelly said it was probably can help decrease dependency on breeder & mentor his first – a navy bean called C-20. chemical use and save resources – both BY HOLLY M. WHETSTONE, EDITOR Although not on the market for long, economically for farmers and ecologically, C-20 became “grandpappy” to many especially in developing countries. black bean and navy bean descendants, “Third-world farmers are being he said. prevented from access to these food crops “C-20 had its faults, but we were by essentially people who are able to learn from those and improve well-fed and well-healed. That’s what future cultivars — which is what you bothers me the most,” he said. “Why do in plant breeding,” he said. “You should they have a right to dictate what develop something and then you build to others, who have much less in the way of improve it further. Even when you have resources, do?” new varieties coming out, we still have a As bean breeding begins to couple years of work on them to improve incorporate more and more plant them further.” genomics – an area Kelly is not trained in Samurai, released in 2015, is Kelly’s – he is carefully thinking about his future. most recent creation, made specifically “Somebody just asked me if there for the Japanese market. Although it was anything I wanted to finish before “Dr. Kelly was an exceptional resembles a white bean used in baked retiring,” he said. “The thing with plant beans, Samurai is processed into a bean mentor. His knowledge of breeding, there is always something you paste used in many Japanese baked goods plant breeding and genetics, want to move forward on. You’d like to James Kelly visiting bean fields in Africa and sweets. Kelly said that because particularly of common bean, see some things click and work, but there the country is heavily populated and isn’t anything specifically. I’m not hanging alfway around the world for that many years, both as a student and who later became known as the has little available land mass, it must is exceptional. Through his on here to get one thing finished. I’ll find at a gala reception in and then as a researcher in a couple of “Father of the Green Revolution.” depend on other countries for many of its mentorship, I now have the an appropriate time to retire.” Africa, Michigan State different places and so forth – you build Inspired by Borlaug’s achievements, agricultural products. necessary skillset to manage In the meantime, Kelly remains University (MSU) up these friendships and relationships Kelly came to the United States in The majority of Kelly’s beans are deeply committed to both his research a bean breeding program.” Distinguished Professor with people. Yeah, I think just because of 1969 to pursue his doctoral degree in grown in North America, primarily and his teaching. Mentoring and James Kelly mingles as if right at home. that and my work being published over plant breeding from the University Michigan, Minnesota and North Dakota. training of students has been an integral H – Kelvin Kamfwa, bean breeder at He works his way from one candlelit the years. People see the publications of Wisconsin (UW). As part of his Kelly said there are huge challenges to component of his research strategy across the University of Zambia table to the next, taking only a few steps and they talk to you and so forth.” doctoral studies, Kelly spent about two bean production, from high plant costs his entire career. between conversations. Most centered Kelly, who speaks with a charming years conducting research overseas for to production on primarily marginal More than 30 graduate students, on beans and bean research. In addition Irish accent, was born and raised in the International Center for Tropical lands. Because of limited investment in erroneously assume it involves GMOs. In many from developing countries and to knowing many of the guests, Kelly County Antrim in the northeastern part Agriculture (CIAT). It was then that research, bean yield improvements have fact, dry beans are not a GMO crop. Part many who did their research in the has close personal ties to several of of Northern Ireland. Growing up, he his bean breeding connections began to failed to match those of several major of the reason, he said, is that scientists developing world, have obtained M.S. and the evening’s distinguished awardees, spent time on his grandfather’s livestock firmly take root. cereal crops. The fact that pulses are have not been able to genetically engineer Ph.D. degrees under his guiding influence. including a few former students. farm, but it was his father’s interest in “Yeah, there are a lot of tentacles, much more complex nutritionally makes beans. More than 100 other students have Having developed 47 bean varieties horticulture that had the most influence I suppose,” he said, describing improvements more difficult to achieve. “Would there be GMO traits out sought and benefitted from his advice as in the past 35 years, Kelly was frequently on Kelly’s career. His dad, a primary his relationships within the bean Beans are key contributors to the there that would help beans? I’m certain a member of their graduate committees. recognized and fondly greeted, not school teacher by trade, grew vegetables community both at home and across food security of many countries in Latin there would be,” he said. “Are they Kelly continues to teach in the classroom, only at the evening’s festivities, but in greenhouses at their home. Frequent the globe. America and sub-Saharan Africa, where going to come? I don’t know. There is too, helping to equip new generations of throughout the weeklong 2016 Joint visits from the local Extension specialist Upon receiving his Ph.D., Kelly they have become integral components nervousness about trying to bring them agricultural talent. And just last summer Pan-African Grain Legume and World who offered valuable plant advice made became employed by UW and has been of smallholder farming systems. Kelly forth and trying to sell them. One feels he graduated six graduate students under Cowpea Conference in Livingstone, a lasting impression on the young lad, working with beans ever since. He joined has forged research and outreach sometimes like you’re running a race his advisement. Zambia held in early March. He could who eventually realized that science was the MSU faculty in 1980 as an assistant partnerships in countries such as against other commodities with your “I try to instill in my students that easily chalk up the notoriety and what intrigued him most. professor in the Department of Crop Mexico, Ecuador and Rwanda in efforts hands tied behind your back because one has a job to do, and that’s it,” he camaraderie to an illustrious career, but While working on a bachelor’s and Soil Sciences, now Plant, Soil and to increase both the quantity of beans those tools are not available to you.” said. “You need to put in the effort, get chooses not to. degree in agriculture in his homeland, Microbial Sciences. produced per unit of cropland and their Kelly admits that the fact that beans the work done and do it right – taking “Maybe it’s just a case of longevity Kelly began to take note of Norman While developing one bean variety nutritional quality. do not contain GMOs makes marketing it through to the final dissertation and and having been at this long enough,” Borlaug who at the time was making can take more than 10 years, Kelly said he When people hear the word beans easier. However, with mandatory getting the information published. Some he said. “Having worked with the crop headlines plant breeding, mainly wheat, stays interested in the process by setting “breeding,” Kelly said they often food labeling expected in the near future, of the work is a lot easier than others.” v

36 FUTURES | SUMMER 2016 FUTURES | SUMMER 2016 37 BY CAMERON RUDOLPH, STAFF WRITER

Top: Richard Bernsten speaks to a group about his international research. CREATING NEW INTERNATIONAL Second: Juan Carols Rosas (second from left) views a bean field with fellow researchers and farmers. SUPPLY CHAIN OUTLETS Bottom: Farmers in the field with their crops. PROVES CHALLENGING

ACH SEMESTER SINCE HIS RETIREMENT IN 2011, thought fair trade beans might be a vetted the group’s membership and the marketplace. The price of beans RICHARD BERNSTEN HAS SAT IN ON A CLASS good idea.” governance. To gain and maintain fair isn’t the only volatile thing here. The AT MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY (MSU). THE Around for many years, fair trade trade status, the association needed price of shipping can go up, as well as practices have begun to flourish only to pay an annual fee of $2,700 to cover any number of other complications. FORMER DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURAL, FOOD in the past two decades. Coffee is the associated costs. There’s a tremendous amount of AND RESOURCE ECONOMICS PROFESSOR OF 26 most popular fair trade product, but Bernsten determined that uncertainty and risk for small-scale YEARS DOESN’T TEACH OR INTERJECT ANYMORE others are gaining steam. Proponents certification costs, shipping, farmers who want to sell their produce E— HE LISTENS. HE ATTENDS COURSES ON VEGETABLE CROP tout the standards set by third-party fumigation, customs brokerage fees in the international market.” PRODUCTION, PLANT PATHOLOGY AND ENTOMOLOGY, WANTING certifying organizations that respect and more would require a higher Cynthia Donovan, the deputy TO LEARN ABOUT THE SCIENCE BEHIND THE CROPPING SYSTEMS growers and the environment. Bernsten price than the $1 per pound initially director of the LIL, praised Bernsten’s THAT HE SPENT DECADES TEACHING ABOUT FROM FINANCE believed he could help farmers tap into settled on. In addition, a purchase innovative work with fair trade an emerging upscale U.S. consumer base price must be arranged six to nine beans. This project, along with others AND POLICY PERSPECTIVES. WHY NOW? BERNSTEN SAYS HE that was increasingly concerned with months prior to delivery. Initially, the led by Bernsten, provides hands-on CONTINUES TO WANT TO IMPROVE THE LIVES OF PEOPLE worker conditions and food origins. Plus, farmers accepted the offer. But as the experience for students. ACROSS THE WORLD — A CAUSE TO WHICH HE’S DEDICATED farmers growing fair trade beans would local price of beans increased because “The research was extremely HIS ENTIRE CAREER. PLUS, THERE’S ONE CAUSE STILL ON THE receive a 10 percent price premium. of supply shortages, the farmers asked valuable, as it involved farmer ECONOMIST’S MIND — OPENING NEW SUPPLY CHAIN OUTLETS Rosas initiated conversations with for a higher price. Whole Foods agreed organizations and the U.S. private FOR SMALL-SCALE BEAN GROWERS GLOBALLY. local growers to gauge their participation to the new price again. But as local sector opening up a new trading interest, while Bernsten attempted to prices continued to climb and farmers channel that is growing today,” Bernsten’s passion for international collaborators are from. address the main concern: who will asked for yet another increase, Bersten Donovan said. “Dr. Bernsten has done development originated during his time With Juan Carlos Rosas, a buy these beans? Jack Allen, a retired said negotiations came to a stalemate amazing international development as a Peace Corps volunteer in Sierra Honduran dry bean breeder and professor in the MSU Eli Broad College and eventually fizzled. work, and his graduate students have Leone. From there, Bernsten was hooked. professor at Escuela Agrícola of Business, recommended speaking to “These are farmers who are gone on to flourish in their careers.” After completing master’s and doctoral Panamericana, and a team of graduate one of his former students, a regional used to selling on the spot market,” Bernsten said he has advised degrees in agricultural economics at the students, Bernsten embarked on a manager for Whole Foods Market. The Bernsten said. “They don’t know if more than 40 international graduate University of Illinois, he made his way to project in 2009 that explored the bean manager connected Bernsten with the the price will rise or fall in six to nine students. He tries to stay in touch as the Philippines to join the International export supply chain from Honduras to bulk commodity buyer for Whole Foods months, so it’s a scary proposition frequently as possible and has derived Rice Research Institute. Wanting to the United States. in Austin, Texas, and negotiations began. to forward contract. If it was only significant pride from monitoring their return stateside after four years in In need of cash, most Honduran “We had to establish a price that a portion of their crop, they could success. Southeast Asia, he obtained a position farmers sell their beans just after harvest. was fair to the farmers and take into dip their toes in the water without “I’ve always said the best thing at Winrock International in Arkansas, a The downside is that prices are low account the cost of all steps of the supply jumping all the way in.” about being a faculty member nonprofit that works with disadvantaged because the market is flooded. Bernsten chain,” Bernsten said. “As we delved In the end, an agreement between is following the careers of your populations in the United States and wanted to devise ways to give farmers further into the process, the complexity the farmers and the retail chain could students,” Bernsten said. “It’s not your abroad. In 1985, he jumped at the chance more selling options. of fair trade certification became very not be reached. Bernsten said the publications. It’s not the classes you to join MSU and focus on international “We were looking to assist small- apparent.” group gleaned information, including teach. It’s seeing your students go on projects. scale farmers in making larger profits Whole Foods agreed to purchase the possibilities of expanding target to do amazing things that impact a With funding from the Legume from the beans they grow,” he said. 20 metric tons of beans if the farmers customers. lot of people. We don’t always get the Innovation Lab (LIL) at MSU, among “There is a market class in Honduras formed an association for fair trade “I was extremely impressed with perfect result with our research, but other entities, Bernsten has investigated called small red beans. This market class purposes, met standards set forth by the Whole Foods and the excitement we take what we’ve learned and apply ways to bring economic opportunity to isn’t grown in the U.S., but it accounts International Marketing Organization they had to partner with us,” Bernsten it to the next project. It’s a valuable developing countries. He has a particular for more than 90 percent of all beans (IMO) and agreed to the price. This said. “It’s unfortunate that we couldn’t teaching tool, and it helps us get better affinity for Honduras, where several grown in Honduras. With the growing required the farmer association to come to a price agreement, but it just as researchers.” v of his former graduate students and interest in fair trade in the U.S., we complete a 50-plus page application that shows the unpredictable nature of

38 FUTURES | SUMMER 2016 FUTURES | SUMMER 2016 39 BY JAMES DAU, STAFF WRITER

Paying it FORWARD: Taking legume learnings from MSU to other countries

WHEN HE ARRIVED AT MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY (MSU) FROM HIS HOME IN KUMASI, GHANA, ISAAC OSEI-BONSU ALREADY HAD TWO DEGREES IN Paying it FORWARD PLANT SCIENCE AND A DECADE OF WORK EXPERIENCE IN A LAND WHERE 80 PERCENT OF THE POPULATION DEPENDS ON SOME FORM OF SUBSISTENCE Upper left: Matt Berry stands among young plants FARMING FOR FOOD.

Upper right: His training provided insight into the need for improved soil project, a worldwide network of researchers and citizen scientists Osei-Bonsu tends young bean plants health and diversity of crops in a country where most agricultural collecting a wide range of plant health data. For Osei-Bonsu, this

production is not sufficient to meet local demand. Poor yields opportunity provides access to one of the world’s best databases Middle right: are brought on by low soil organic matter, low soil nitrogen and on photosynthesis under various climatic and soil conditions. Graduate student Princess other nutrients, and limited access to chemical fertilizers and crop Photosynthesis forms the basis of numerous essential plant Adjei-Frimpong varieties resistant to drought, pests and disease. processes, so ensuring its functioning at optimal levels is a critical Lower right: “One of the main problems throughout Africa is poor component to producing a resilient, high-yielding legume crop. David DeYoung soil health,” Osei-Bonsu said. “Before coming to MSU, I was Osei-Bonsu is searching for the mechanisms that regulate the

introduced to legumes as a research scientist because they fix process within the plant and how environmental variables such as Lower left: nitrogen, putting it into the soil instead of taking it out, and I drought and/or high temperatures affect it. He said he hopes the Gerardine Mukeshimana in Rwanda saw potential for them to help fix my country’s soil nutrition results will help usher in a new era of legume agriculture. Middle left: problems.” “Understanding how photosynthesis works and how to Rosemary Bulyaba in the field Last year Osei-Bonsu was selected – one of five from a pool improve it in legumes means better production, better food of 200 candidates – to join the Legume Scholars program, a security, better nutrition and healthier soil for everyone,” he said. partnership between the Consultative Group for International Agricultural Research’s Research Program on Grain Legumes, the LEGUME SCHOLARS AND GLOBAL BENEFITS Peanut Productivity and Mycotoxin Control Innovation Lab at Each applicant to the Legume Scholars program brings his the University of Georgia, and the Legume Innovation Lab (LIL) or her variant of Osei-Bonsu’s story. Connecting bright young at MSU. The program provides graduate fellowships for students scientists with the cutting-edge resources and training available from developing countries to study legumes at leading universities from American universities to help developing nations solve these in the United States. issues is at the heart of the program. “The program is a great opportunity to further my knowledge “By 2050, the world will need to feed an additional 2 billion and expertise in the area of legumes,” Osei-Bonsu said. “I want to people,” said Cynthia Donovan, deputy director of the LIL and find effective solutions to the problems our farmers face, and this professor in the MSU Department of Agricultural, Food and is how I can accomplish that.” Resource Economics (AFRE). “That sort of challenge requires the Osei-Bonsu joined the lab of David Kramer, Hannah best and brightest ideas in agricultural science and getting them distinguished professor in photosynthesis and bioenergetics in into the hands of the people who can use them best.” the MSU-Department of Energy Plant Research Laboratories, to Each student selected for the program receives full tuition for study photosynthesis in legumes. Kramer’s lab is a leading voice a master’s or Ph.D. program, as well as opportunities for lab and in photosynthesis research through its pioneering PhotosynQ field experience and professional development workshops.

40 FUTURES | SUMMER 2016 FUTURES | SUMMER 2016 41 Rosemary Bulyaba was born in areas of the genome are responsible for farmers’ access to improved seed Kampala, the largest city in Uganda, the fast-cooking trait observed in beans. varieties in Haiti and parts of Asia but became familiar with the challenges He presented a poster on his work during as an MSU Extension specialist. that her country’s farmers face during the Joint Pan-African Grain Legume and “On a personal level, my time in an internship in the Kamuli district, World Cowpea Research Conference in the field in Latin America reinforced an agriculture-heavy rural region in Zambia in March. to me the value of working directly the eastern part of the country. At the “I’ve wanted to work with beans with farmers,” DeYoung said. time, she was studying agribusiness for since I was an undergrad student,” Berry “Talking with local seed experts her undergraduate degree at Makerere said. “Beans are very nutritious, but and farmers was the best way to University. Her internship involved even after soaking in water for up to 12 learn about the specific challenges working with schools and farmers to hours, they can still take another hour or they face on both the production and provide healthy meals for students, more to cook. I’m trying to decrease the marketing sides, as well as how we and it was there she learned of the cooking time through plant breeding.” could best help meet them.” health and economic benefits of legumes In a region of the world where for communities. most in-home cooking is done atop THE FUTURE OF LEGUME “We were working with primary wood-burning fires, which take time SCIENCE IN DEVELOPED & schools to make sure they had lunches and energy to start, shorter cook time DEVELOPING COUNTRIES so that students had something to eat is a much-desired trait. By reducing Through MSU’s many research before they went home in the evening,” cooking time, Berry hopes to make beans endeavors, facilitated by labs and Bulyaba said. “Legumes, high in an easier, more time- and cost-effective programs across the university, the next protein, offer great nutrition and a dietary choice. generation of legume scientists is training more diverse diet for children, who are to tackle agricultural, environmental often malnourished.” MANY STUDENTS and economic challenges around Wanting to make this important the world. The knowledge that they crop group more widely available at FROM THE generate will have many applications, BATTLING home, Bulyaba joined the Legume from increased yield to better nutrition, Scholars program and is now pursuing DEVELOPING WORLD healthier soil and greater food security, a Ph.D. at Iowa State University and and the beneficiaries of their work working to find better ways to grow COME TO MSU TO will be growers and consumers cowpeas and common beans in Uganda. throughout developed and developing “There’s so much research being done STUDY LEGUMES... countries alike. here in the United States — I want to “The implications of our work are bring that back home where we can Though he grew up in Michigan, numerous — improving air quality in apply this knowledge and expertise in David DeYoung has been working in homes, reducing fuel consumption, INSECTS the field, where it can help people who the developing world since 2007, when saving time and improving nutrition,” are struggling.” he was part of a non-governmental Berry said. “These are important organization in Honduras during the advances in the developing world, but SENDING SPARTANS AROUND world food price crisis. The turmoil anyone who cooks beans will benefit, no KEEPING PESKY POD BORER, THE WORLD saw food prices skyrocket and threaten matter where they are.” Many students from the developing food security in many countries. That The training and research world come to MSU to study legumes; experience motivated DeYoung to declare opportunities available through BEAN WEEVIL AT BAY many others take the expertise they AFRE as his major. He participated in a MSU play an important role in acquire at MSU abroad. project to bring improved bean cultivars helping young scientists acquire the Matt Berry, a Ph.D. student and to Haiti, Honduras, Guatemala and knowledge and expertise they need to Indiana native working in the lab of Nicaragua through the LIL. make these breakthroughs. Karen Cichy, adjunct assistant professor “The project provided the “As we make legume varieties in the MSU Department of Plant, Soil opportunity to work with established better and more available to farmers, and Microbial Sciences, is spending community seed banks in Nicaragua,” they’ll benefit from higher yields, more the summer in Tanzania through a DeYoung said. “We studied what factors income, more food and healthier soils — graduate research grant from the U.S. led to sustainability in seed banks and all things we need back home,” Osei- Borlaug Fellows in Global Food Security passed that information back to them.” Bonsu said. “The benefits to farmers • BY CAMERON RUDOLPH, STAFF WRITER • Program. He is applying his knowledge of DeYoung graduated from MSU in could be great, and I want to help them plant genetics toward discovering what December but has continued studying find that.” v

42 FUTURES | SUMMER 2016 FUTURES | SUMMER 2016 43 INFESTATION, BOTH IN individually sealed to form an and extension entities, as well as THE FIELD AND AFTER airtight container. nongovernmental organizations Researchers also analyzed the bag’s (NGOs), demonstrations of the bag’s HARVEST, IS A MAJOR THREAT TO LEGUME efficacy with other crops, including effectiveness are delivered to growers CROPS. STORAGE TO THWART POSTHARVEST common bean, maize, pigeon pea and throughout the region. LOSSES HAS BEEN THE FOCUS OF MUCH many others. The project, now headed “Postharvest storage loss of by Dieudonné Baributsa, a research legume crops is a major challenge RESEARCH, RANGING FROM TESTING VARIOUS associate professor of entomology at among smallholder farmers,” Baributsa TYPES OF CONTAINERS TO USING MOTION AS Purdue, also examined the bags ability said. “PICS bags improve income, A PEST DETERRENT. to prevent mold and preserve seed food security and nutrition by viability for planting. Results were reducing storage loss. By 2015, PICS A A 1991 paper published in Nature It was the first study to examine promising and economic research demonstration activities reached more by MSU entomology professor James motion as a pest control. The downside: showed that the bags could be a cost- than 3 million farmers in at least 46,000 Miller and two graduate students, it wasn’t a feasible option for large-scale effective practice for African farmers, villages. About 7 million bags have Martha Quentin and Joseph Spencer, farms due to the time and labor. To have moving the project into a third stage. been sold by more than 15 licensed recommended that farmers in sub- a profound impact on large operations, PICS3, as the program is known today, manufacturers and distributors in Africa Saharan Africa use 50 to 75 percent- the containers in which crops are stored functions with funding from the Bill and and Asia.” filled cylindrical containers to store needed to be evaluated. Melinda Gates Foundation. Its mission beans and rotate them one full rotation Larry Murdock, a distinguished is to expand food security, market access BRINGING IT ALL TOGETHER twice a day. The tumbling prevented professor of entomology at Purdue and cash incomes for farmers through Millions of people around the bean weevils from boring into the beans, University, has been studying pest increasing the bag’s implementation world rely on cowpeas as a fundamental an activity that typically takes 24 hours. management in Africa since 1987. He and in the targeted countries of Burkina component of the daily diet. Grown in Unable to establish a position to bore, his team developed a triple-layer plastic Faso, Ethiopia, Ghana, Malawi, warm climates such as Africa, South the weevils become exhausted and bag that protects cowpeas from weevils Nigeria, Tanzania and Uganda. The Asia, Central America and South eventually die. The research resulted in and other insects with funding from the goal is to promote a local supply chain America, they are tolerant to drought lowering bean weevil populations by Legume Innovation Laboratory (LIL), by pinpointing manufacturers and and can thrive in poor soil conditions. 97 percent compared to non-movement known as the Purdue Improved Crop distributors. Additionally, with the The rich nutrient profile consists of controls. Storage (PICS) project. The layers are assistance of international research vitamins, minerals and protein, making cowpeas an important food source for treatment, larvae can ravish an entire disease- and pest-resistant variety could many who can’t afford meat. crop in short order. The pod borer can transform their operations. The significance of this crop is be controlled with insecticides, but they An international team of scientists intensified considering the lack of access are expensive, not easily accessible to from the African Agricultural to food in many developing countries, so resource-poor farmers, and continuous Technology Foundation (AATF), in protecting what is produced is crucial. use results in the advancement of collaboration with local researchers Despite the cowpea’s hardiness, it faces resistance in target pests. in Africa and advanced laboratories, is its share of biotic dangers. Pests and Whether it’s deploying working to cultivate cowpea varieties diseases can drastically reduce yields groundbreaking storage bags or that have built-in insect protection when not properly managed. Scientists biotechnology, equipping developing through the use of a gene from bacteria from U.S. universities and international nations with new infrastructure to fight (Bt gene). The Bt gene produces a institutions have been working for pests requires capacity building. MSU protein that interferes with the digestive decades to mitigate these risks and bring is committed to offering educational system of legume pod borers, but it is food security to countries in desperate services, consultation and expertise specific to pod borers and safe for all need of a stable food supply. through the World Technology Access other organisms, including beneficial The legume pod borer is the Program (WorldTAP). insects, humans and animals. primary pest of cowpeas in the field, Trainings on integrated pest “We help to introduce practical, decimating up to 90 percent of some management, biotechnology, food safety, sustainable technologies to farmers in farmers’ yields. Also referred to as intellectual property rights and more Africa who may not otherwise have Maruca vitrata, the legume pod borer are available. Partnering with local access to them,” said Denis Kyetere, the lays eggs on the flowers of legume institutions in Africa, WorldTAP seeks executive director of AATF. “Through plants. Larvae feed on the flowers before to connect growers with solutions. For our partnerships, we can develop Barry Pittendrigh (left) inspecting cowpea plants for infestation. Without appropriate treatment, larvae can quickly ravish moving to pods. Without appropriate cowpea farmers, the introduction of a and deliver technology such as Bt an entire crop.

44 FUTURES | SUMMER 2016 FUTURES | SUMMER 2016 45 cowpea that improves crop yields. This is Pittendrigh’s group has conducted one component of a larger integrated pest field studies that define pest populations management (IPM) plan. MSU and other in the region for legume pod borer and institutions assist in educating the public other insects. Traditional methods such as about IPM and what it can do to boost spraying neem oil, which has been used as MSU HISTORY productivity.” a natural pesticide for hundreds of years, Bt cowpea lines have been tested in have been explored. Biocontrol tests with confined field trials in Burkina Faso, Ghana, a wasp that preys on the legume pod borer Malawi and Nigeria, showing promising are also underway. CONTINUES results. These varieties are expected to reach “Cowpea is a staple for millions of smallholder farmers in the next five years. people and an important source of protein,” Kyetere was among several who visited Pittendrigh said. “It needs to be protected STRONG MSU in May to attend a conference for in ways that are feasible to local farmers. the university’s new Alliance for African We have worked with Manuele Tamò Partnerships initiative. The Alliance (insect ecologist at the International IN SAGINAW VALLEY encourages research innovation and Institute of Tropical Agriculture in Benin) collaboration, while expanding MSU’s on the development and release Getting to Know AND THUMB REGIONS portfolio of work in Africa. of biocontrol agents and with our host Barry Pittendrigh, PhD “Capacity building is extremely country scientists on local solutions that important because we want to create can be taught to farmers. But it all comes MSU Foundation Professor; down to sustainability and making sure sustainable systems in these countries, Department of Entomology for pest management and much more,” that we give a full range of IPM strategies In 1901, Ab Stoutenburg started his family farm said Karim Maredia, an MSU entomology for farmers to choose from.” Most recent position: growing dry beans, sugar beets and other crops on professor and program director of Once management plans are created, C.W. Kearns, C.L. Metcalf and 80 acres of land near the outskirts of Sandusky in WorldTAP. “Training and education are dissemination can be a substantial W.P. Flint Endowed Chair in Michigan’s Thumb region. Today, 115 years and three a necessity, and we need to develop and challenge that requires a network of Insect Toxicology; University generations later, the farm has grown to more than present a range of options to farmers. organizations. The research team is of Illinois Biotechnology is just one tool in the toolbox. working with NGOs and Scientific 1,000 acres. The road leading to the farm now bears We are looking to develop a package of Animations Without Borders (SAWBO), Education: the family name, and Clint Stoutenburg — Ab’s strategies that will work long into the a program cofounded by Bello-Bravo and Max Planck Post-Doctoral great-grandson — carries on the family business. future. That means we need experts from Pittendrigh. SAWBO conveys scientific Fellow; Max Planck Institute all disciplines to weigh in.” and extension information through two- for Chemical Ecology, The LIL backs numerous capacity and three-dimensional animations that Germany building projects, including a cowpea are accessible in several languages Ph.D. pest initiative run by Barry Pittendrigh, and free of charge. For cell phones and Entomology; University of an endowed chair in Insect Toxicology at tablets, a free SAWBO app is available. Wisconsin-Madison the University of Illinois (UI), who will A Nigerian television station has aired join the MSU faculty in August as an MSU some of the animations, prompting M.S. Foundation Professor in the Department Pittendrigh to scout elsewhere for Entomology; of Entomology. similar opportunities. Purdue University His research aims to provide growers “The research is needed to provide in Benin, Burkina Faso, Ghana and Niger scientifically-sound solutions, but it doesn’t B.Sc. with tactics that consider cost, human mean much if we can’t get it into the hands Biology; University health and environmental impact. Many of the farmers,” Pittendrigh said. “SAWBO of Regina, Canada local producers live on less than $2 per day, helps us connect with both local educators so management improvements need to make and end users through mobile devices, such Why MSU?: sense economically. Pittendrigh along with as cell phones and in some cases through “The Legume Innovation Julia Bello-Bravo — assistant director of computers and television. The availability Lab has been a wonderful the Center for African Studies at UI — of these devices is increasing significantly mechanism to showcase and international scientists have generated in developing countries. The more MSU’s expertise in “IPM-omics.” The project incorporates platforms where SAWBO animations international research genomics and geographic information are used, the better chances that it can and development, a strength systems technology into integrated positively influence a greater number that attracted me to continue pest management. of people.” v my career there.” BY JAMES DAU, STAFF WRITER

46 FUTURES | SUMMER 2016 FUTURES | SUMMER 2016 47 positive impact that dry bean research whether in person or through digital has had on Michigan farmers. IT’S THE communication. “Without the research support “One of the main functions of the we provide, farmers would have to test PERFECT PLACE research center is to keep education these new varieties themselves, risking easily accessible for everyone,” large acreages and potential losses,” — IN THE Stoutenburg said. “Not every kid on a Horny said. “Here at the center, we can farm in Michigan is going to be able to screw up so they don’t have to. About PERFECT go to MSU to take college courses. But if 95 percent of the varieties fail, and most we make courses available close enough farmers couldn’t afford that.” LOCATION to home, we could reach more people In a given year, the SVREC than ever before. To me, that’s really researchers test approximately 2,000 Vassar, Michigan. Ackerman recalls the important, and that’s why our farm potential varieties, paring that down state of the industry a decade ago, when contributed to funding the new facility.” over the course of two to three years nearly all dry beans were harvested The new facility is central and numerous trials until a new cultivar by windrowing – a time-consuming to Horny’s vision for SVREC. He emerges superior in some way — practice of pulling crops and allowing said opportunities to host training whether in yield, canning quality or them to dry in the field before gathering workshops, industry gatherings and disease resistance — to those that and bundling. Today, the dry bean conventions, 4-H events and Master came before. harvest looks much different, thanks to Gardener courses are just some of the “Farmers don’t see some diseases, SVREC advancements. possibilities. like dry edible bean rust, in the field “We can directly harvest beans “The industry came together and much anymore because of the improved in the field now, and that’s all thanks raised the money for the facility, and A new Agricultural Education Center at the Saginaw Valley Research and Extension Center in Frankenmuth opened this varieties we’ve developed,” Horny said. to new technology from the research they’ve given us this great opportunity summer with more than $1 million of funds raised by the industry. “We’re now working on doing that for center,” Ackerman said. “A few people to improve our ability to work with other major diseases, such as white mold tried it earlier, but none of them did it and educate farmers at all levels,” Horny The Stoutenburgs have been Michigan ranks as the largest acre farm to increase research capacity. and common blight.” right. It doesn’t work unless you have said. heavily involved with the industry over producer of black beans in the nation In addition to sugar beets and dry beans, Greg Varner, research director for the right equipment and varieties, and “My goal is to provide people the years. Clint’s father, Al, sat on the and second largest for all dry beans SVREC scientists assist Michigan corn, the Michigan Bean Commission and the scientists at the center found the with as many ways to reach people as board of the Croswell Beet Growers behind only North Dakota. In 2014, wheat and soybean growers. Michigan Bean Shippers, is responsible right combination to make it work.” possible, whether that means providing Association. And Clint himself, once Michigan farms produced nearly 327 “Specialty crop industries such for coordinating the Michigan dry space for in-person meetings and chair of the Michigan Bean Commission, million pounds of dry beans, valued at as dry beans don’t have the resources bean industry’s research efforts and A CONTINUING PARTNERSHIP courses or the technology for distance continues to sit on the commission’s over $139 million. that larger crops, like corn, have in communicating goals with scientists. The close relationship between the learning and digital communication.” research and promotion board. He the private sector,” said Joe Cramer, Working closely with Kelly and Horny, Michigan dry bean industry and SVREC The new facility is another step in a also is on the U.S. Dry Bean Council’s A LEGACY OF IMPACT executive director of the Michigan Bean Varner plants the potential varieties that researchers has yielded a rich body of long history of cooperation. executive committee. THROUGH RESEARCH Commission. “We rely on the university show the most promise in test plots to practical knowledge and a partnership “An industry that doesn’t Clint believes that research is Dry beans are known as a difficult- to provide the research that keeps observe performance under practical that will continue to serve the needs of invest in research will stagnate and the major reason for the Michigan to-grow, high-risk crop. They require cutting-edge technology in the hands of conditions. Michigan agriculture into the future. ultimately disappear,” Horny said. “Our dry bean industry’s prosperity and very specific growing conditions: our farmers.” “You can’t duplicate everything that Last year, Michigan’s dry bean partnership with the dry bean industry competitiveness nationally and temperatures between 64 and 75 Much of that technology takes the you’ll run into on a farm,” Varner said. and sugar beet industries collected in Michigan has helped the crop group internationally. Much of this work degrees Fahrenheit and 20 to 25 inches form of improved crop varieties. MSU “We get better statistical data at the $1 million in donations to build a remain not only competitive but a is conducted at the Michigan State of rainfall during the growing season. is home to one of the world’s leading research center because of the greater new 11,000-square-foot Agricultural leader in the nation. And we’re going to University (MSU) Saginaw Valley Consequently, most of Michigan bean dry bean breeding programs under the control we have there, but taking the Education Center at SVREC. The new continue that work.” Research and Extension Center production occurs in the Thumb and stewardship of James Kelly, University varieties to test on farms allows us to facility, home to a 250-person meeting Like so many other things, that is a (SVREC), situated northeast of Saginaw Valley regions of the state. Distinguished Professor in the extrapolate that, as well as get them into room, a 50-person classroom, on-site sentiment echoed by the farmers. Frankenmuth in the heart of the state’s SVREC was founded in 1971 on a Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial the hands of growers so they can see offices and multipurpose reception “The Saginaw Valley research dry bean and sugar beet region. 120-acre farm near Saginaw. The land Sciences. Since 1982, Kelly’s lab has whether the new varieties are relevant space will be a key hub for industry, center isn’t just a facility for MSU “The technology that has been was a joint purchase between the produced 47 dry bean cultivars, many of to their needs.” research and outreach. faculty and students,” Stoutenburg said. tested by the scientists at the research Michigan Sugar Company, the Michigan which are grown widely throughout the Steady, consistent development For Stoutenburg, that means a “It’s an agricultural research facility center – we use it every day in the field,” Bean Commission and the Michigan state, the nation and the world. SVREC of technologies at SVREC has yielded better equipped, more informed future that we’re lucky to have right here in Stoutenburg said. “Whether they’re Bean Shippers Association. In 2008, has served as the test site for the vast real, practical advances for people like generation of Michigan dry bean our own backyard. It’s the perfect place, different bean varieties, seed treatments, it moved to its present location near majority of them. Greg Ackerman, a fourth-generation growers. He envisions a day when it’s in the perfect location, and it has chemicals or harvest equipment, they’re Frankenmuth after the MSU Land Paul Horny, SVREC coordinator for dry bean farmer and member of the MSU instructors will be able to hold everything we need to keep going and all things that we need. That we rely on.” Management Office purchased a 250- the past 32 years, has seen firsthand the Michigan Bean Commission from classes for students from the area, keep farming.” v

48 FUTURES | SUMMER 2016 FUTURES | SUMMER 2016 49 PHOTOSYNTHESIS PROGRESS

By Marguerite Halversen, Contributing Writer “We need to think about improving beans in new ways, and Improving grain legume production we need the tools to dramatically with new ag technology accelerate the processes.”

BEANS ARE AN IMPORTANT by the MSU-managed Feed the Future the health of a plant can be learned LEGUME CROP IN ZAMBIA, Legume Innovation Lab to accelerate measuring photosynthetic reactions. WHERE 60 PERCENT OF improvements in the robustness and It’s like a window into the workings of THE POPULATION LIVES IN efficiency of photosynthesis. They started plant.” POVERTY AND by identifying hurdles that limit plant Kramer’s lab has developed a series MORE THAN 350,000 SUFFER improvement in Africa and working with of new tools that gauge living plants in FROM FOOD INSECURITY. the MSU Center for Advanced Algal and the field and measure photosynthesis in UNFORTUNATELY, BEAN Plant Phenotyping (CAAPP, which is run real time. Using these tools, they found PRODUCTION IN THIS AFRICAN by Kramer) to develop new technologies signals that could be used to indicate COUNTRY IS SEVERELY LIMITED to overcome them. how efficient photosynthesis is, whether BY DISEASES, INSECTS, One factor limiting crop the plant is productive or if it’s under LOW SOIL FERTILITY AND productivity is photosynthesis—the stress, losing energy or being damaged. DROUGHT. AND NATIONAL process by which plants capture solar But Kramer believes this emerging BEAN HARVESTS OF 300 TO energy to generate food and energy for technology could be made even better. 500 KILOGRAMS PER HECTARE growth and development. Ultimately, “To really map genes so we can EACH YEAR FALL SHORT any increases in yield depend—directly breed better plants,” said Kramer. “We BY MORE THAN 2 MILLION or indirectly—on photosynthesis. Low need to observe photosynthesis on many POUNDS. photosynthetic efficiency in Zambia, plants, under varying conditions—and David Kramer, Michigan State which is highly sensitive to biotic and then analyze the data. Plants, which University (MSU) Hannah Distinguished abiotic stresses, severely constrains grain are particularly sensitive to their Professor in Photosynthesis and legume production. environments, must be measured under Bioenergetics, and the 2016 Charles F. “Plant breeders have been really the conditions in which they are actually Kettering Award recipient for excellence effective at targeting certain kinds grown. It’s a massive undertaking.” in the field of photosynthesis, said of traits, like disease resistance or The photosynthesis project is countries like Zambia (ranked 164 out plant architecture, but we really harnessing two new phenotyping of 184 countries on the Human Poverty haven’t touched the core processes of technologies developed at MSU. One of Index), cannot wait years for traditional photosynthesis,” said Kamfwa. these, the PhotosynQ platform (www. plant breeding. This means that the solar energy photosynq.org), allows researchers, “There is an urgent need to develop input into the plant has remained farmers and extension agents throughout highly productive, robust and sustainable constant or, in some cases, even the world access to sophisticated bean crops — and the urgency is only decreased, over the past century. yet very inexpensive and easy-to-use increasing as climate change continues But there are additional reasons for instruments to measure reactions related to impact farming systems and plant improving photosynthesis. to photosynthesis. This field-deployable production negatively each successive “In addition to its importance network of handheld sensors and season,” he said. “In short, we need for plant energy, photosynthesis is an associated online communication and to think about improving beans in excellent way to probe plant health,” analysis tools enable researchers and new ways, and we need the tools to said Kramer. “Photosynthesis must farmers to conduct plant phenotyping dramatically accelerate the processes.” be extremely well controlled to avoid experiments, analyze data and share Kramer and colleague Kelvin toxic byproducts, especially when the results, and allow improvements in Kamfwa at the University of Zambia have plant is under environmental stresses. breeding and management on local and teamed up in a three-year project funded Consequently, a lot of information about global scales.

50 FUTURES | SUMMER 2016 FUTURES | SUMMER 2016 51 BY CAMERON RUDOLPH, STAFF WRITER PREVENTING MALNUTRITION

MSU scientist looking at fatty acids to stop stunting, poor cognitive development David Kramer’s lab has developed new tools that gauge living plants in the field and measure photosynthesis in real time.

“With these tools, we are now legumes and germplasm can soon are using the PhotosynQ platform to An expert on human nutrition at able to monitor many photosynthesis be explored. find genes that let photosynthesis work reactions in crops in multiple Kramer’s team has provided six more efficiently under combinations of Michigan State University (MSU), environments under natural conditions,” handheld PhotosynQ MultispeQ agricultural limitations experienced in Jenifer Fenton knows the harsh said Dan TerAvest, a post-doc in units to Kamfwa’s team to initiate the region, including drought (and lack consequences of malnutrition. Some Kramer’s plant research lab. “Among the project’s first field trials. They of irrigation), low soil nutrients (and of her ongoing work is in Africa, a the measurements we need to obtain will study a gene platform in the high cost of fertilizers in Africa) and continent where 40 percent of children in developing a stronger germplasm is common bean plants that confer various diseases. are stunted and nearly 20 percent are photosynthesis regulation.” better performance under Zambian Meanwhile in East Lansing, MSU underweight, and more than half of The second platform called environmental stresses, looking for more graduate students Isaac Osei-Bonsu and the deaths are from nutrition-related Dynamic Environmental resilient and productive traits. DongHee Hoh are using both the DEPI illnesses. The effects of poor access to and PhotosynQ platforms to identify Phenotyping Imager (DEPI) simulates “The key limiting factor of plant food, especially nutrient-rich foods, are field conditions in special chambers breeding is determining phenotypes, that factors that allow beans and cowpeas devastatingly apparent throughout this so that sophisticated imaging is, the performance levels of particular to perform better under extreme expansive continent. sensors from Kramer’s lab can probe traits in the field,” said Kramer. “The temperature changes, a major hindrance Fenton, an associate professor in a myriad of plant processes and technology we’ve developed determines worldwide of these crops. properties. For example, DEPI can which phenotypes are contributing to Ultimately, the technological results the Department of Food Science and measure how sensitive photosynthesis, good or bad yield outcomes. We can will determine which cowpea and bean Human Nutrition, said that there is an growth, etc. are to specific weather map genes, but we don’t know what the lines are most promising for breeding abundance of research in developing conditions. genes do. The MultiSpeQ and PhotosynQ germplasm to achieve optimal grain countries examining the impacts of iron Developing DEPI and the can tell us that—and Kelvin is using the legume yields in Zambia. deficiency and carbohydrates, but not PhotosynQ platform has been a technology to that end in Zambia as part Kramer has just recently expanded much has been done on essential fatty major part of this project. With these of his work to improve bean germplasm this technology network into Malawi acids. These are necessary fats that are technologies now available, distribution for better yields.” at three different research stations, not naturally produced in the body. along with training and use of them Using the MultispeQ and where six researchers from Malawi’s has now shifted to the forefront. The PhotosynQ, Kamfwa and his team in Department of Agricultural Research goal of improving the robustness and Zambia are beginning to develop rapid Services are collecting data for 15 efficiency of photosynthesis to accelerate bean phenotyping protocols. Kamfwa’s different projects on various plants and the breeding efforts to improve grain undergraduate and graduate students cropping systems studies. v

52 FUTURES | SUMMER 2016 FUTURES | SUMMER 2016 53 “We did some background work veterinary school, Fenton acquired her Initiative (iAGRI), a U.S. Agency for measurements, so we’re especially and found that very few people are bachelor’s degree in animal science. International Development-funded ONE OF THE thankful to Dr. Harris.” studying whether children in developing But a study examining how calorie- program exclusively operating in Results showed that more than countries are deficient in essential fatty restricted diets influence reproduction Tanzania. Managed by the Ohio State REASONS THIS 23 percent of the children were acids,” she said. “Those are fatty acids in livestock prompted her to change University, iAGRI is a partnership experiencing preclinical essential fatty that are not synthesized by the body. from medicine to nutrition. among Tanzanian institutions, food RESEARCH acid deficiency, more than 30 percent We can’t make linoleic acid, an She received both her master’s security cooperatives and six U.S. were stunted and 13 percent were omega-6 fatty acid, and alpha-linolenic degree and doctorate in animal science land-grant universities, including MSU. IS UNIQUE IS underweight – all according to World acid an omega-3 fatty acid. Those have with an emphasis on nutrition. Eighteen Through the program Fenton met Health Organization standards. to be consumed.” months of postdoctoral research Theresia Jumbe, an iAGRI student from THAT IT’S MORE Matthew Pontifex, an assistant When an opportunity arose to work later, she was accepted into Tanzania interested in nutrition. professor in the MSU Department of participate in a collaborative human the prestigious Cancer Prevention Not long after, Jumbe began to CHALLENGING Kinesiology, was then tapped to assess nutrition research project on fatty acids Fellowship Program at the National pursue her doctorate at MSU under the cognitive skills of each child in the in Tanzania, an African coastal country Cancer Institute, where she also Fenton’s guidance. Together, they FROM A study. An expert in neurocognitive of more than 50 million, Fenton quickly obtained a master’s degree in public embarked on a project to explore the kinesiology, Pontifex helped the team threw in her cap. health. role of essential fatty acids in growth TECHNICAL employ a method called the dimensional Shortly after joining MSU as and cognitive development of 2- to change card sort test, a tool that A WORLDWIDE REACH a faculty member, Fenton built 6-year-old children in the village of STANDPOINT measures brain functioning. With a passion for health and connections with colleagues at the Rudewa Mbuyuni in Kilosa, Tanzania. Children were asked to sort a problem solving and a plan to go on to Innovative Agricultural Research To get a baseline of essential fatty acid THAN WORK ON set of cards according to specific criteria. As the test advances, the Jenifer Fenton OTHER HEALTH difficulty increases. Researchers determined that children who had After the completion of the higher whole blood levels of essential initial stages of the project, Jumbe PROBLEMS fatty acids were three to seven times graduated with a doctorate in human more likely to successfully complete all nutrition from MSU. She is the first — THE WORK tasks than those with lower whole blood woman from the iAGRI program to essential fatty acid levels. earn a Ph.D. She now works on the IS TIME “Tanzanian diets are mainly starchy faculty at Sokoine University of and cereal-based, with the intake of fats Agriculture in Tanzania. CONSUMING & below recommended levels,” Jumbe said. A similar initiative is set to begin in “Tanzania is home to several seeds, nuts Ghana this year led by Mary Adjepong, EXPENSIVE and oils, but the fatty acid profiles and a student of the Borlaug Higher mineral levels of these foods are poorly Education for Agricultural Research and levels, blood samples had to be gathered described.” Development program at MSU. from the 334 children in the study. Much of the fats and oils in “Essential fatty acid deficiency is Using a finger prick, the researchers American diets come from animal foods an obvious issue to most of us who do collected a drop of blood from each and refined oils, which are expensive nutrition research,” Fenton said. “Our child on an antioxidant-treated card. compared with plant-based ones. hope is that, through the Tanzania The cards were sent back to the United Though Fenton and Jumbe did not findings and our next work in Ghana, States and examined by William Harris, perform a thorough diet analysis of we can show that this is a significant a professor of medicine at the University individuals in the village, they conducted challenge that requires our attention.” of South Dakota. surveys to determine the most common Sarah Comstock, assistant professor “One of the reasons this research foods. The research group found that in the MSU Department of Food Science is unique is that it’s more challenging pumpkin seeds, soybeans and various and Human Nutrition; Eric Crawford, from a technical standpoint than work oils – common to the region — could professor in the MSU Department on other health problems,” Fenton provide the needed essential fatty acids. of Agricultural, Food and Resource said. “The equipment used in gas They intend to eventually provide Economics; and Joyce Kinabo, associate chromatography analysis is expensive, residents with ways in which they can professor at Sokoine University of and the work is time-consuming relative incorporate these types of foods into Agriculture, also contributed to the Theresia Jumbe takes baseline measurements of children involved in the Tanzanian studies to some of the other routine blood their diets. Tanzania project. v

54 FUTURES | SUMMER 2016 FUTURES | SUMMER 2016 55 THREErecipes RECIPES COURTESY OF MASFRIJOL CEVICHE BEAN SALAD DIRECTIONS 1. Cut the cucumber, tomatoes, and onion INGREDIENTS into small pieces. 2 cups whole black beans 2. Drain the beans. 1 cucumber 3. Add shrimp bouillon to two cups boiling 2 tomatoes water and remove from heat. Add one cup 1 onion of Protemas to the shrimp bouillon and let Juice of 4 limes stand for 15 minutes; if the Protemas seem 4 Tb. Worcestershire sauce too dry, add a bit more water. 5 Tb. ketchup 4. Transfer the Protemas to a medium-sized Shrimp bouillon (available on Amazon) bowl; add the cucumbers, onions, and 1 cup Protemas (an unflavored textured tomatoes and stir. soy protein; a substitute is available 5. Add the ketchup, lemon juice, and on Amazon) Worcestershire sauce.

FRESH CORN TORTILLAS 2. Shape a tablespoon-plus-sized portion of dough into a ball. INGREDIENTS 3. Flatten the dough by hand, forming it into 2 cups masa de maiz (corn meal) a small circular shape (about 3.5 to 4 1-1/4 cups of water inches across). You can also use a rolling 1 heaping teaspoon salt pin or a tortilla press. From https://blog.unbou nd.org/2013/03/ 4. Cook both sides of the tortilla in a how-to-make-guatemalan-tortillas-recipe/ pre-heated skillet over medium-high heat until golden brown. DIRECTIONS 5. Remove cooked tortilla from the skillet and 1. Mix the masa de maiz (corn meal) place it in a basket or a covered dish to with water and salt until they reach keep warm. a play-dough-like consistency. 6. Prepare and cook the remaining tortillas. 7. Serve warm or use in another recipe.

STUFFED TORTILLAS DIRECTIONS 1. Clean and chop the spinach, then fold it into the INGREDIENTS tortilla dough; salt the mixture to taste. 2 cups black beans, mashed 2. To stuff a tortilla, form a golf-ball-sized portion of 1 bunch baby spinach corn meal dough into a ball. Create a well in this ball 1.5 pounds masa de maiz (corn and add 2 T. of beans; bring the sides of the tortilla meal) dough (for making fresh up and around and slightly over the beans, then tortillas; see recipe above) flatten into a small pancake, keeping the pocket in the Salt center of the tortilla filled with beans. (Note: the outside [non bean-filled part of the tortilla] should be no more than 3/8-inch in diameter; most of the tortilla should be filled, giving it a small rise in the center.) 3. Lightly oil a griddle and cook the stuffed tortilla on each side, flipping it once to cook the dough and heat the beans inside it. 4. Serve warm.

56 FUTURES | SUMMER 2016 FUTURES | SUMMER 2016 57 RESEARCHER Q & A Name: Irvin Widders Title: Director of the Legume Innovation Lab

Joined MSU: 1982 Education: Bachelor’s degree, horticulture, Penn State University Master’s degree, vegetable crop physiology, University of Legume leader California, Davis Ph.D., environmental physiology, ...driven by passion to improve University of California, Davis Hometown: lives worldwide Strasburg, Pennsylvania

Favorite food: t’s difficult to believe that Irvin Widders, given his standing I love rice and beans, of course. I also love “pig stomach.” It’s a within the international legume community, hasn’t always Pennsylvania Dutch dish, which been professionally dedicated to this particular group of consists of a pig’s stomach I stuffed with stuffing, sausage, crops. The long-time director of the Legume Innovation Lab potatoes and saffron. (LIL), Widders came to Michigan State University (MSU) in 1982 as an environmental plant physiologist in the Department of Favorite song/group: “Edelweiss” – The Sound Horticulture. His research focused on the physiology of vegetable of Music crops, primarily warm-season produce and pickling cucumber. Book I’d recommend: It wasn’t until 1998 that he became than 520 participants from 46 countries Anything on history the deputy director of the Bean/Cowpea attended the gathering, which focused on Coolest gadget: Collaborative Research Support Program, the sustainability of legume systems for I’m not enamored with now LIL. And in 2000, he was named food, income and nutritional security. modern technology, but I love director. The program has grown into one Widders was honored at the mechanical puzzles. I share of the most influential of its kind in the conference with two awards — these with students because it forces them to think outside the world, thanks in large part to Widders’ recognition from the International box for problem solving. passion for improving livelihoods in Institute for Tropical Agriculture for developing countries. his leadership to the global cowpea On my bucket list: “Access to food is probably the most research community, and an award Visit the Great Wall of China fundamental need for every country,” from the Technical Management Person throughout history Widders said. “What we try to do is Advisory Committee for leading the I’d most like to meet: give farmers in these areas an affordable, LIL and assisting with the organization Nelson Mandela sustainable way to both feed their own of the conference. families and provide their markets with “I couldn’t imagine a better outcome Best trip/vacation: access to quality food.” for the event,” he said. “I was very Morocco and Vietnam LIL was one of many organizations surprised and moved by the recognition I On a Saturday afternoon, that urged the United Nations to name received. It was wonderful to see so many you’ll most likely find me: 2016 the International Year of Pulses people from different countries attend Gardening (IYP). One of 10 IYP signature events a very important conference because an Research discovery I’d like throughout the year took place from Feb. event of this magnitude doesn’t happen to see: Expanding research 28 to March 5 in Livingstone, Zambia: without a lot of coordination among on the use of crop diversity the Joint Pan-African Grain Legume many organizations. We’re thrilled that as a strategy to deal with and World Cowpea Conference. More we could be a part of it.” v climate change.

58 FUTURES | SUMMER 2016 FUTURES | SUMMER 2016 59 NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE 446 W. Circle Drive PAID 109 Justin S. Morrill Hall of Agriculture Michigan State Michigan State University University East Lansing, MI 48824

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Facility Focus: Saginaw Valley Research & Extension Center

estled on 310 acres in the heart of Michigan’s dry Nbean and sugar beet region, the Saginaw Valley Research and Extension Center (SVREC) provides research and outreach for growers of these and other economically important crops in the state. Nationally, Michigan continues to be the No. 1 producer of black beans, the No. 2 producer of all dry beans and the No. 3 producer of sugar beets. SVREC scientists have helped advance crop varieties, tillage techniques, harvest technologies, and pest and disease management practices. Research also focuses on corn, wheat, soybeans and other important rotational crops. “We take on the risk of developing new technologies so that farmers don’t have to,” said Paul Horny, SVREC coordinator. A new 11,000-square-foot educational facility provides hands-on and distance learning training for farmers in the Saginaw Valley and Thumb regions of the state, and serves as a venue for a variety of demonstrations, industry meetings and events.

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