Common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is widely grown and consumed in Zambia but its production is limited by drought and high temperature stresses. In the country there is limited information on farmers' preferences and the genetics of drought and heat tolerance of common bean for breeding to enhance its production. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to: 1) determine farmers' selection criteria and preferences for common bean varieties, 2) evaluate the Zambian bean germplasm for drought and heat tolerance, and 3) determine the genetic effects and inheritance of drought and heat stress tolerance in Zambian common bean germplasm.