Are ‘super beans’ the answer for the hungry in Africa?

“Super Beans” (Rodney Muhumuza/Associated Press)

There is some good news to report. It appears that a new strain of beans is helping to alleviate hunger in parts of Africa:

‘Super beans’ raise hopes in hunger-prone parts of Africa

December 3, 2017

NWOYA, Uganda (AP) — Richard Opio dipped a dirt-stained hand into the pinkish beans, marveling at the dramatic changes they’ve made for his family. They used to harvest two sacks of normal beans; now they take in six.

The so-called “super bean,” a fast-maturing, high-yield variety, is being promoted by Uganda’s government and agriculture experts amid efforts to feed hunger-prone parts of Africa. It’s also a step toward the next goal: the “super, super bean” that researchers hope can be created through genetic editing.

The beans that Opio now tends are thrilling farmers in this impoverished part of northern Uganda that also strains under the recent arrival of more than 1 million refugees from its war-torn neighbor, South Sudan.

The International Center for Tropical Agriculture says the beans have been bred by conventional means to resist the drought conditions that can lead to starvation as arable land disappears.

The group operates one of just two bean “gene banks” in Africa, which is expected to be hit hardest by climate change even though the continent produces less than 4 percent of the world’s greenhouse gases, according to the U.N. Development Program.

One “gene bank” is on the outskirts of Uganda’s capital, Kampala, where the beans that Opio now farms were bred. The other is in Malawi in southern Africa. Beans kept at the two banks are sent to partners in 30 countries across the continent to be developed further so they can cope with local conditions.

The Uganda bank stores around 4,000 types of beans, including some sourced from neighboring Rwanda before its 1994 genocide killed around 800,000 people and wiped out many of the country’s bean varieties.

“The beans have to go through certain rigorous tests before they can be released to the general public, to make sure they do actually address all the issues well and perform well in different climatic conditions,” said Stanley Nkalubo, a legumes research scientist with Uganda’s National Agricultural Research Organization.

The red-striped bean that 35-year-old Opio now harvests is called NABE15, and it has proved so popular that the U.N.’s Food and Agriculture Organization recently contracted a large commercial producer to supply 21 tons for distribution to South Sudanese refugees as planting materials.

Aid workers hope the beans will encourage the refugees to grow their own food rather than rely on handouts, which in some cases have been cut because of funding shortages. https://www.apnews.com/8bf53586efce473b989e55443d741533/’Super-beans’-raise-hopes-in-hunger-prone-parts-of-Africa

Being hungry for a long time is difficult. Not only can it sometimes lead to death, it can also cause mental and other problems.

While “super beans” are not the answer for all that ails Africa, it looks like they are helping some there.

As far as food for Africa goes, on my last trip there, I brought seeds. Here is a photograph of one of my suitcases:

As it turned out, I brought over 173,000 heirloom, non-GMO, vegetable seeds (these are seeds which produce future seeds which are capable of producing future plants). They were given to leaders in Kenya and Ghana. And they were successfully planted and crops (mainly vegetables) were later harvested.

Will “super beans” and “heirloom seeds” solve all the hunger and other problems in Africa?

No.

Because of that, some will not bother to be concerned.

But consider the following:

7 “Today, if you will hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts.” (Hebrews 4:7)

15 If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? 17 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

18 But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. (James 2:15-18)

27 Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world. (James 1:27)

9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith. (Galatians 6:9-10)

1 Let brotherly love {Philadelphia} continue. (Hebrews 13:1)

Although we in the Continuing Church of God cannot solve all the hunger problems in Africa, we do what we can, consistent with what the Apostle Paul wrote (Galatians 6:9-10).

While the true solution for Africa is the return of Jesus and the establishment of the Kingdom of God (and I also brought literature and other information on that on my last trip to Africa–my second suitcase was mainly full of gospel and other biblical literature), it is good to give Africans the opportunity to be able to produce more of their own food and to reduce the ravages of suffering from hunger.

Sadly, many do not see it that way, but have instead hardened their hearts–those without Philadelphian love need to repent (cf. Revelation 3:14-19) and truly show love of the brethren.

Some items of related interest may include:

The Gospel of the Kingdom of God This free online pdf booklet has answers many questions people have about the Gospel of the Kingdom of God and explains why it is the solution to the issues the world is facing. Here are links to three related sermons: The World’s False Gospel, The Gospel of the Kingdom: From the New and Old Testaments, and The Kingdom of God is the Solution.
Faith for Those God has Called and Chosen What is faith? Can faith be increased? Are you saved by faith? What about works? Do Christians need to keep the Ten Commandments? What is the ‘faith chapter’? How do the just live by faith? Is faith one of the weightier matters of the law? How does faith come? Marque aquí para ver el pdf folleto: Fe para aquellos que Dios ha llamado y escogido. In German: Glaube für die von Gott Berufenen und Auserwählten. In French: La Foi pour ceux que Dieu a Appelés et Choisis. Here is a link to a related sermon titled: Faith for the Called and Chosen.and here is a link to another sermon Faith and Courage. Here is a link to shorter version of the written article in Mandarin Chinese N{ÇQsNŽOáNðv„\e‡zà.
Christian Repentance Do you know what repentance is? Is it really necessary for salvation? A related sermon is also available titled: Real Christian Repentance.
The Philadelphia Remnant: It’s All About Love This is what CCOG teaches. It is important to remember. A related video is available: Nairobi Conference: All About Love.
What is a True Philadelphian? Many claim to be part of the Philadelphia era of the Church, but is claiming enough? This article has biblical and historical evidence about who really are the Philadelphians.
The Philadelphia Church Era was predominant circa 1933 A.D. to 1986 A.D. The old Radio Church of God and old Worldwide Church of God, now the remnant of that era is basically the most faithful in the Church of God, like who hold to the beliefs and practices of the Continuing Church of God.
The Laodicean Church Era has been predominant circa 1986 A.D. to present. The Laodiceans are non-Philadelphians who mainly descended from the old WCG or its offshoots. They do not properly understand the work or biblical prophecies and will face the Great Tribulation if they do not repent. One video of related interest is 17 Laodicean Errors in Prophecy.
CCOGAfrica channel. This has messages from African pastors in African languages such as Kalenjin, Kiswahili, Embu, and Dholuo.
CCOGAFRICA.ORG This is a website targeted towards those in Africa.
Africa: Its Biblical Past and Prophesied Future What does the Bible teach about Africa and its future? Did the early Church reach Africa? Will God call all the Africans? A related online sermon is also available: Africa: Its biblical past, present, and future. A video of possible interest is: Nairobi Conference: All About Love.