Sustainable Management of the Common Bean Fly by Integrating Farmers’ Preferences for Improved Varieties

The common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is a vital commodity crop globally. The bean fly (Ophiomyia spp.) is among the major insect pests constraining crop production in sub-Sharan Africa, including Zimbabwe. New cultivars with resistance to bean fly have yet to be developed, with winning traits preferred by farmers and end-users. A survey of 241 farmers was conducted to assess production constraints, farmers’ variety preferences, bean fly awareness and current management practices. Data were analysed using the Rank-Based Quotient analysis. A multiple linear regression model was used to determine farmers’ awareness of the pest. Survey results showed that insect pests, including bean fly, topped the list among production constraints, followed by diseases, drought, and input costs. Level of education, years in bean production, and access to extension service significantly (P < 0.05) influenced farmers’ awareness of the bean fly. Principal component analysis identified grain yield (with a loading score of 0.89), disease resistance (0.73), insect pest resistance (0.64), and early maturity (0.41) as the key traits that influence bean variety choice The results of this study are vital to refine the common bean target product profiles for Zimbabwe and guide the breeding programs’ efforts in developing demand-driven varieties with farmers’ preferred traits.