The genetic diversity present in wild and cultivated varieties of legumes will play an essential role to cope with future climate and increasing demand for nutrition. Legumes are widely considered an essential crop to mitigate effects of climate change and population growth, for multiple reasons: (i) they have a high protein content, hence the potential to replace meat; (ii) they have the capability to fix nitrogen and grow in nutrient poor environments; and (iii) they are very diverse and adapted to a wide range of climate conditions. In this project, we will apply a field-to-field approach to train students and farmers to collect, conserve, analyse, re-distribute and use germplasm of different bean species (Phaseolus and Vigna). Meise Botanic Garden has one of the most diverse collections of Phaseoleae (> 3000 accessions), while ISABU has a large collection of legume germplasm from Burundi (> 1800 accessions). Both institutions have experience with phenotyping legume germplasm, either in controlled conditions (Meise BG) or in the field (ISABU). Part of this project will also focus on bringing into practice the use of selected germplasm (ISABU; Broederlijk Delen; IFB) and to interact with relevant stakeholders (local farmers, agronomists, seed producers and distributors, ...), with
special attention to increasing socio-ecological resilience.