Broad bean (fava)

Vicia faba

Family: Fabaceae

Quick stats

Family	Fabaceae
Typical harvest	2.4 t/ha
Varieties	3
Pests & diseases	6
Seasons	0

Crop profile

Growth habit	annual
Days to harvest	120
Main uses	Fresh green beans, dry beans for stews and soups, fodder and green manure.
Pollination	self
Origin / where it grows	Broad bean (fava) is grown mainly in cooler highland and upper mid-altitude areas, often as a cool-season pulse in rotation with cereals.

Weather, soil & spacing

Best temperature	12–22 °C
Rainfall	500–800 mm/yr
Altitude	1000–2600 m
Best pH	6.5–7.5
Soil type	Deep, medium to heavy loam with good structure. Broad bean (fava) prefers cool, fertile, well-drained soils.
Row spacing	60 cm
Plant spacing	10 cm
Planting depth	5 cm
Seed rate	150 kg/ha
Nursery days	—

Simple notes for farmers

About the crop: This crop is annual. You plant, grow and harvest it in one main season, then plant again. You can normally start harvesting about 120 days after planting, depending on care and variety.

Main use: Farmers mostly grow this crop for fresh green beans, dry beans for stews and soups, fodder and green manure..

Pollination: This crop is mainly pollinated by self. Keeping flowers healthy and having insects like bees in the field helps improve fruit set and yields.

Where it grows: Broad bean (fava) is grown mainly in cooler highland and upper mid-altitude areas, often as a cool-season pulse in rotation with cereals. It is grouped under: Legumes & Pulses.

Best climate: This crop does well in warm areas where the temperature is usually between 12 and 22 degrees Celsius. It prefers places that receive around 500 to 800 millimetres of rain in a year. It can grow from near sea level up to about 2600 metres above sea level.

Soil: The crop grows best in slightly acidic to near neutral soils, with a pH of about 6.5 to 7.5. It does well in deep, medium to heavy loam with good structure. broad bean (fava) prefers cool, fertile, well-drained soils.. Good drainage is important, so avoid waterlogged spots.

Plant spacing: Plant in rows about 60 centimetres apart, and leave about 10 centimetres between plants in the row. This gives each plant enough space for roots and canopy to spread.

Planting depth: Dig planting holes or furrows about 5 centimetres deep so the roots sit firmly in the soil but are not buried too deep.

Seed or planting material: Use around 150 kilograms of seed or planting material per hectare. Spread or plant evenly so the field has a good stand without being overcrowded.

Farmer guide (mwongozo wa mkulima)

Planting: Plant Broad bean (fava) at the start of the cool, rainy season. Place 1–2 large seeds per hole, a full finger deep, and cover well.

Transplanting: Direct seeded; normally not transplanted because of its large, delicate root.

Irrigation: Keep soil moist during germination, branching and flowering. Avoid long dry spells at flowering and pod filling.

Fertigation: As a legume, Broad bean (fava) fixes nitrogen. Give a good seedbed and a small starter dose of phosphorus and potassium.

Pest scouting: Check fields weekly for aphids, leaf spots, chocolate spot and rust. Look carefully at young shoot tips, stems and pods.

Pruning: No pruning needed; in windy areas light staking or planting in double rows can reduce lodging.

Harvest: For fresh green beans, pick when seeds are well filled but still soft. For dry grain, harvest when pods are dry and seeds are hard, before pods shatter.

Postharvest: Dry plants or pods on clean sheets, thresh gently, then dry grain again until hard. Store in dry, airtight or treated bags to prevent beetle damage.

Nutrient schedule (mbolea kwa hatua)

#	Stage	DAP	Product	Rate	Targets (kg/ha)	Notes
1	Basal at planting	0	NPK with P (e.g., 10-24-20) or TSP + K source	80 kg/ha	N: 8, P₂O₅: 30, K₂O: 30	Place fertilizer in bands beside the row, not touching the seed.
2	Optional K topdress (early flowering)	40	Muriate of potash (MOP) or K-rich NPK	40 kg/ha	N: 0, P₂O₅: 0, K₂O: 20	Apply when Broad bean (fava) is starting to flower, especially on K-deficient soils.

Nutrient requirements

Nutrient	Stage	Amount	Unit
N	Basal	15	kg/ha
P₂O₅	Basal	30	kg/ha
K₂O	Basal	30	kg/ha
N	Topdress_early	0	kg/ha
P₂O₅	Topdress_early	0	kg/ha
K₂O	Topdress_early	20	kg/ha

Field images (picha shambani)

Name	Country	Maturity	Traits
Early broad bean	KE	100	Early maturing, suitable for highland vegetable and grain use.
Medium fava type	TZ	120	Good grain size, suited to cool upper mid-altitude areas.
Local broad bean landrace	KE	130	Traditional taste and adaptation; moderate yield.

Stage	Product	Rate (kg/ha)	Notes
Basal	NPK with P (e.g., 10-24-20) or TSP + K source	80	Provides phosphorus and potassium to support rooting and early growth in Broad bean (fava).
Topdress (optional K)	Muriate of potash (MOP) or K-rich NPK	40	Used where soils are low in potassium or residues are removed frequently.

Name	Type	Management
Black bean aphid	pest	Pinch heavily infested tips, encourage natural enemies and spray only when infestations are severe.
Pod borers	pest	Scout at flowering and early podding and treat early when fresh damage is seen.
Chocolate spot (Botrytis)	disease	Avoid very dense stands, improve air flow and use fungicides when disease pressure is high.
Rust	disease	Use tolerant varieties, avoid overhead irrigation and remove heavily infected residues.
Root rots in poorly drained soils	disease	Improve drainage, avoid over-irrigation and rotate with non-legume crops.
Storage beetles and weevils	pest	Dry grain well and store in airtight or treated bags; keep stores clean.

System	Typical	Min	Max	Notes
Smallholder rainfed (low input)	1.2	0.8	1.8	Local seed, little fertilizer, basic weed control.
Smallholder rainfed (improved management)	2.5	1.8	3	Improved varieties, starter fertilizer, timely weeding and disease control.
High input / irrigated	3.5	2.8	4	Fertile soils, reliable moisture and well-managed pests and diseases.

No season calendars yet.

Country	Region	Suitability
KE	Cool highlands and upper mid-altitude zones
KE	Hot, lowland semi-arid areas
TZ	Southern and northern highland belts
UG	Highland and cool mid-altitude areas