Seven seasons of learning and engaging smallholder farmers in the drought-prone areas of sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia through Tropical Legumes, 2007–2014

Tropical Legumes II (TL II) is a Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation sponsored project implemented by three International Agricultural Research Centers – International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), International Centre for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) and International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA). The project aims to improve the livelihoods of smallholder farmers in the drought-prone areas of Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and South Asia (SA) through improved productivity and production of six major grain legumes – chickpea, common bean, cowpea, groundnut, pigeonpea and soybean. The project activities were implemented in Burkina Faso, Ghana, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania, Uganda and Zimbabwe in SSA, and India and Bangladesh in SA. The project has been running for the past two phases: Phase I (2007 – 2011) and Phase II (2012 – 2014). The project is designed to help the smallholder farmers to overcome constraints, such as drought, pests, diseases and lack of improved seed varieties. TL II is expected to enhance the productivity by at least 20% through increased adoption covering 30% of legume area, strengthening national breeding programs and generating at least $1.3 billion in added value. This has resulted in significant achievements. The active breeding programs are now in place in all 15 countries. New seed varieties (163) have been released and are fast replacing the old ruling seed varieties. Thirty seven national partners were trained at MSc and PhD levels. As a result of the enhanced skills and knowledge of seed value chain actors, seed production significantly increased by 221$448 million has been generated from the project funding and nearly $976 million from the project and investment partners. Even when using the adoption rates data from adoption and expert opinion surveys, the aggregate gross benefits from TL II-related modern legume varieties is estimated at about$978 million, which is still far above the total TL II investment grossly compounded at $48 million. In effect, for each dollar invested, the project generated$9 with direct project investment or $20 with partnership’s investment and again$20 when using adoption rate based estimate. These successes and associated challenges will be discussed in detail in subsequent chapters of this book

Reducing child undernutrition through dietary diversification, reduced aflatoxin exposure, and improved hygiene practices: the immediate impacts in central Tanzania

Open Access Article; Published online: 28 Nov 2019The study aimed to quantify the immediate effects of dietary diversification, food safety, and hygiene interventions on child undernutrition in four rural villages in Kongwa district of central Tanzania. One hundred mothers with their children of less than 24 months old were recruited for this study. The difference-in-difference (DID) method was used to assess the effects of intensive intervention through a learning-by-doing process on the topic of aflatoxin free diversified food utilization and improved hygiene practices. Periodic anthropometric measurements were conducted on the 0th, 7th, 14th, and 21st days, and DID estimator showed the significant and positive average marginal effects of the intervention on Z-Scores being 0.459, 0.252, and 0.493 for wasting, stunting, and underweight, respectively. Notably, at the end of the study, the mean aflatoxin M1 level in urine samples decreased by 64% in the intervention group, while it decreased by 11% in the control group. The study provides quantitative evidence on intensive 21-day training for mothers incorporating integrated technologies yielded positive impacts on their children’s nutritional outcomes

A Cross-Case analysis of innovation platform experiences in seven countries in West and East Africa and South Asia

The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) funded Tropical Legumes (TL III) project was implemented in seven sub-Saharan Africa countries (Burkina Faso, Ghana, Mali, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Tanzania, and Uganda) and South Asia (India). Shortage of seed of improved varieties has been identified as the greatest hindrance to farmer adoption of new agricultural technologies developed through this project. This chapter compares the different approaches followed by different countries in the establishment of Multi-Stakeholder Platforms (MSPs) for supply of improved legume seed to farmers. Achievements from this initiative are mixed and multi-dimensional. The details herein provide the reader with insights on the level of success of innovation platforms in the different countries and implications for agricultural technology dissemination to smallholder farmers. Key achievements include strengthened linkages among various legume seed value chain actors, participation of several cadres of seed producers in a decentralized system resulting into significant increase in the production of certified and quality declared seed of legumes, and rapid adoption and use of newly released varieties by smallholder farmers. As for those areas where the initiative did not produce the desired results, it is a testament that unless a well thought-out inclusive and comprehensive approach which defines the critical roles of each player in the value chain is developed, current seed shortages will continue, eroding emerging market opportunities and good intentions of development partners. The reader is directed to individual chapters for details of the process followed by each country/crop in the establishment of MSPs, their composition, key achievements, challenges, and lessons for overall improvement of the national legume seed systems

Harnessing the power of social media to reach the unreached: knowledge dissemination for greater impact of tropical legumes

Tropical Legumes III (a project supported by Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, led by ICRISAT and jointly implemented by CIAT, IITA and NARS partners) has developed several technologies, including best bet varieties (>163) and other pool of resources over 3 phases (2007-2016) of its implementation. However, itfaces the challenge of reaching the intended target populationat scale, putting our mission of availing International Public Goods (IPG’s) in jeopardy.ICRISAT being majorly funded by public money is a firm supporter of global open access and considers technologies, research results and data generated from different projects as IPGs to be shared with the global scientific community using different open source platforms and tools. Social media revolution has potential to address some of these challengesand so TL III marked its presence on four social media platforms: Facebook (500 followers), Twitter (230 followers), Slide-share (8,242 views), and Flickr (396 photos) and regularly uses them as a vehicle to reachfarmers and interested stakeholders.Technologies and varieties developed under TL III have been an eye opener for many in the agriculture sector, and small-holder farming in particular. Over the period of one year of the project phase III implementation, these four different platforms have shown different level of engagements, information dissemination and reach, which will be highlighted and discussed

Enhancing Crop Breeding Programmes: The Case of Sorghum and Pearl Millet in Southern Africa

Crop breeding and variety release systems remain largely focused on national markets while seed markets are becoming increasingly globalised. Breeding programs are also poorly staffed and under-funded in relation to the number of each country s crop breeding challenges. Studies and analyses were conducted and a synthesis is presented to provide a scientific and economic justification for improving the efficiency of crop breeding and variety registration for sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) and millet (Eulisine indica) in southern Africa. Geographic Information system (GIS) analyses was used to delineate the region into 4 recommendation domains based on lengths of growing periods. Multiple variety releases exemplify potential adaptability of the varieties across country borders. Sequential retrospective pattern analyses (SEQRET), using grain yield data from Multi Environment Trials (METs) conducted over a span of 12 years, stratified the 39 Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) test sites into 6 groups according to their similarity of line-yield differentiation. This provided an objective basis for selection of a few representative benchmark test sites for future efficient regionalized variety testing through the Lead NARS approach of regionalized breeding for increased efficiency and cost effectiveness. Mechanism for regional release to facilitate farmers fast access to new improved varieties will address constraints of small seed markets

The Seed Constraint: New approaches for smallholder agriculture in eastern and southern Africa

Pilot interventions through the Tropical Legumes II (TL-II) Project have shown promise in making new varieties available to farmers who depend on the farmer seed system. These initiatives which includes community seed schemes, seed recovery and seed bank schemes, seed fairs, contracting schemes, small seed packs, etc being promoted under TL-II, are further developed, and linked to participatory research, where farmers are directly involved in variety selection and testing. R&D agencies linked through TL-II implementation are designing and testing demand-driven seed supply strategies, which provide the necessary incentives for farmers to buy seed from the marketplace. The alternative approaches described above are based on two propositions; that different approaches are required for different crops and that we must lay greater emphasis on stimulating seed demand rather than focusing exclusively on seed supply. This report describes the legume seed dissemination strategies used for chickpea in Ethiopia, and groundnut and pigeonpea in Malawi and Tanzania and other TL-II focus countries. Preliminary research results from TL-II baseline studies in all three countries found that there was very limited awareness about improved legume varieties, and that neither public- nor private-sector interventions to produce and market legume seeds had a successful track record in these countries. To overcome these constraints investments have been made in breeder and foundation seed production, and proceeds from seed sales used to re-capitalize seed revolving funds that are then used to support subsequent seed production cycles

Chickpea breeding and development efforts in Eastern and Southern Africa: Achievements and opportunities

In Eastern and Southern Africa(ESA), chickpea is grown on about 493,000 ha. Ethiopia and Tanzania are the major chickpea growing countries by occupying 73% of total ESA area, and minor producing countries are Malawi, Kenya, Eritrea, Sudan and Uganda. Chickpea provides a unique oppourtunity to grow in post-rainy season under residual moisture conditions. Ethiopia is the major chickpea producer and exporter in ESA and during last one decade production(119%) and productivity(78%) have increased substantially. Ethiopia and Tanzania export a sizable quantities of chickpea and earning about 46.6 million $ annually. Chickpea improvement in ESA over the years resulted in release of 40 high yielding varieties with desirable agronomic and quality traits. The major breeding priorities in ESA were high grain yield, resistance to Fusarium wilt, collar rot, dry root rot and ascochyta blight;tolerance to Helicoverpa pod borer, terminal drought and grain quality traits. The current productivity levels in Ethiopia is about 1730 kg/ha and but in all other ESA countries productivity levels are still below 1000 kg/ha. The productivity gains in Ethiopia, providing an opportunity for cross learning among neighbouring countries. The new varieties and breeding populations developed by ICRISAT using conventional and molecular breeding approaches have been evaluated in ESA and their adaptability and adoption rates are very high. However, a huge untapped yield potential exists in the currently released as well as pipe line varieties. Better integration of available genomic and genetic resources in breeding, effective seed production and delivery, integrated crop management, wider stakeholder participation will provide an oppourtunity to futher enhance on-farm yields

Pigeonpea breeding in Eastern and Southern Africa: achievements and future prospects

Pigeonpea is no more an orphan crop in Eastern and southern Africa(ESA), with its multiple benefits to cropping systems, smallholder farmers, consumers and traders. pigeonpea has huge regional and international export potential and india alone imports 506,000 t annually. ESA countries export about 200,000 t of grain per year that worth $ 180 million. During the last two decades, area and production in ESA increased dramatically by 135% and 125%, respectively. Tanzania, Malawi, Mozambique, Kenya and Uganda are the major pigeonpea producers. Tanzania and Malawi are showing the path to success in terms of productivity and production gains that guide other countries to follow. Pigeonpea improvement in ESA started in 1992 and since then 27 high yielding varieties were released and adopted them widely. The major breeding priorities were high grain yield, inter-cropping compatibility, photo-period insensitivity, grain quality, resistance/tolerance to Fusarium wilt, Helicoverpa pod borer and resilience to climate change. ESA has unique genetic diversity and its use in genetic enhancement has paid rich dividends. Tremendous yield gains have been recoreded with the use of new varieties, integated crop management, effective seed systems and sustained market demand. However, a huge gap still exists between realizable and actual yields with present technologies. ICRISAT-Patancheru is utilizing hybrid pigeonpea technology, genomic and genetic resources most effectively. Efforts are being made to use them in ESA breeding program to further elevate yield potentials in the region. A region specific strategy being outlined to bridge the gaps between actual, realized and potential yields using conventional and modern breeding by involving all the stakeholders

Legume breeding and seed systems for improved livelihoods and impact

The Tropical Legumes III project aims to reduce food insecurity in drought-prone areas of Sub Saharan Africa (SSA) and South Asia (SA), through improved productivity and production of four major grain legumes – chickpea, common bean, cowpea and groundnut. This is being sone by conducting research under three complementary research and delivery pillars: support for the development and release of farmer-preferred varieties; strengthening of the legume breeding capacity of partner CGIAR centers (ICRISAT, IITA and CIAT), and national partners Burkina Faso, Ghana, Mali, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Tanzania and Uganda; and establishment of sustainable seed delivery systems that service the needs of small-holderfarmers. Significant achievements have been recorded. Breeding program assessments have been completed in all countries and improvement plans developed for execution. New seed varieties (163) have been released and are fast replacing the old ruling seed varieties in all target countries. Thirty seven national partners were trained at MSc and PhD levels. As a result of the enhanced skills and knowledge of seed value chain actors, seed production significantly increased by 221% (from 139,048 to 446,359 tons) in seven years. Since 2007, improved varieties have been adopted on at least 2 million hectares and more than $448 million has been generated from the project funding and nearly$976 million from the project and investment partners. For each dollar invested, the project generated $9 with direct project investment or$20 with partnership’s investment, and again $20 when using adoption rate based estimate. These achievements and implementation challenges will be discussed