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Varieties that do not consider client-preferred traits are often on the shelves and not adopted by the targeted clients. Thus, considering trait preferences of downstream bean value chain actors like processors, traders and consumers is becoming important as they sometimes differ from those of farmers. This study investigated gender varietal and trait preferences of traders, consumers, and processors for common bean varieties. A mixed method was used to collect data from 75 traders, 21 processors, and 100 consumers in Uganda. Descriptive results identified that short cooking time, thick stew, good taste, and affordability are intertwined and the most preferred traits. Irrespective of gender, actors preferred existing varieties such as NABE 4, Kanyebwa, Masindi Yellow, Nambale Omuwanvu, and NARO BEAN 1 for possessing the most preferred traits. These findings can guide common bean breeders in targeting these traits to meet the needs of men and women processors, traders, and consumers.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.1057\/s41599-026-07472-w","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,5,22]],"date-time":"2026-05-22T01:24:12Z","timestamp":1779413052000},"update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/springer_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":0,"title":["Gendered preferences for varieties and traits in Uganda\u2019s common bean value chain: insights for breeding programs"],"prefix":"10.1057","volume":"13","author":[{"given":"Eileen Bogweh","family":"Nchanji","sequence":"first","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Collins Odhiambo","family":"Ageyo","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Wilber","family":"Ssekandi","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Grace","family":"Nanyonjo","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Grace","family":"Bantebya","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Cosmas Kweyu","family":"Lutomia","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Victor","family":"Nyamolo","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"297","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,5,22]]},"reference":[{"key":"7472_CR1","unstructured":"Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT (2016) First drought-resilient, high iron beans for Uganda released. 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Study objectives and purpose were conveyed to community leaders and respondents in each community. Permission was sought before data collection from local leaders and respondents. Respondents had the opportunity to stop participating in the research at any time during interviews, but none opted out during this study. This study was exempted\/waived from formal ethical review because it was implemented by the National Agricultural Research Organization (NARO) as part of the gender-responsive breeding. NARO is a public research institution mandated to conduct agricultural research in Uganda, and the study involved non-invasive, minimal-risk data collection (survey interviews and focus group discussions) with no clinical procedures. The exemption was granted on 15 November 2020. All procedures were conducted in accordance with applicable Ugandan research governance requirements and internationally recognised ethical principles for research involving human participants, including the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki.","order":2,"name":"Ethics","label":"Ethical approval","group":{"name":"EthicsHeading","label":"Ethics"}},{"value":"Informed consent was obtained from all participants prior to data collection. Participants were informed about the study\u2019s purpose, their voluntary participation, and the option to withdraw at any time without consequence. All responses were anonymized to protect participants\u2019 privacy and confidentiality. Informed consent was obtained from all participants prior to data collection, which took place from 25 to 27 November 2020. Participants were informed about the study purpose, procedures, voluntary participation, confidentiality and anonymisation, and their right to decline participation or withdraw at any time without consequence.","order":3,"name":"Ethics","label":"Informed consent","group":{"name":"EthicsHeading","label":"Ethics"}}],"article-number":"1556"}}