French Beans

French beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) belong to the Fabaceae family and are bred and cultivated for their pods and seeds. Although the crop has a low consumption rate in the country, it is one of the dominating crops in the export market.

French beans, also known as snap or green beans, and locally in Kenya as mishiri, are a major export crop. Interest in french beans farming is fast-growing.

In Kenya French beans are grown in Machakos, Nyandarua, Kirinyaga, Naivasha, Embu, Nyeri and Thika. The crop does well in altitudes of between 1500 to 2000m above sea level receiving annual rainfall of 900 to 1300mm.

With irrigation, French beans can be grown throughout the year.