The main goal of the project is to increase common bean production in Sub-Saharan Africa, through the development of germplasm resources, molecular tools, and scientific knowledge.

Sub-objectives include:

1. Develop an Andean Diversity Panel (ADP) comprised of 300-500 dry bean lines for genetic characterization of targeted traits and identification of breeding materials.
2. Identify and develop Andean germplasm with improved biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) and improved production on degraded low input soils.
3. Improve tolerance to abiotic stresses-drought and heat.
4. Identify Andean common bean cultivars with disease resistance genes for the control of the most widespread and yield-reducing diseases in target countries.
5. Determine the phenotypic variation of seed phytic acid , flavonoids, and cooking time.
6. Determine the phenotypic variation and genetic control of seed mineral concentrations, pod mineral partitioning, and pod dry matter partitioning in Andean beans.