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Global food security continues to be a worldwide concern. Beans and pulses contribute to world food supplies and food intake significantly. The significance of agricultural research for crop improvement and enhanced utilization of dry beans and pulses is evident through the scale and diversity of programs (Siddiq and Uebersax 2012). Under CGIAR (Consultative Group on International Agriculture Research), there are a number of research centers focusing on dry beans and pulses; e.g., International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT, Cali, Columbia), International Crops Research Institute for the Semi‐Arid Tropics (ICRISAT, Hyderabad, India); International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA, Alleppo, Syria); and the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA, Ibadan, Nigeria). According to CGIAR (2011), “impressive gains have been made with improved common beans, developed with farmer participation through regional networks in East, Central and Southern Africa; e.g., 30–50% yield increase from 1995 to 2010. This improved bean production, while strengthening household food and nutrition security, also provides women with surplus grain to sell in local markets.

In addition, numerous other countries through their international development agencies emphasize and support similar research programs on beans and pulses improvement. Selected such agencies include: Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID), Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), International Development Research Centre (IDRC, Canada), German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ), Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA), and Department for International Development (DFID, United Kingdom).

The Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations (FAO) endeavored to make people more aware of the nutritional value of pulses, of their contribution to sustainability, and more reliable food by declaring 2016 as the International Year of Pulses (IYP 2016). This declaration intends to facilitate cooperation within food production systems to better use protein in pulses. The IYP 2016 aimed to heighten public awareness of the nutritional benefits of pulses as part of sustainable food production aimed towards food security and nutrition (Figure 1.8).

In the United States, the USAID (Agency for International Development) has long played a role in the dry beans and pulses improvement programs globally. Significant impact has been achieved through the collaborative research support program (CRSP) efforts on dry beans, cowpeas, and pulses. Current research foci are: increasing pulse productivity through genetic improvement, increasing pulse productivity through integrated crop management, increasing pulse utilization for improved nutrition and health, and strengthening pulse value chains (USAID 2012). The Pulse CRSP contributes to economic growth and food and nutrition security through knowledge and technology generation that strengthens pulse value chains and enhances the capacity and sustainability of agriculture research institutions that serve pulse sectors in developing countries of Africa and Latin America. Overall, the Pulse CRSP supports over 30 projects in about 20 countries (USAID 2012). Figure 1.9 shows the geographical distribution of these projects.

In 2018, USAID‐funded Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Legume Systems Research, a five‐year research capacity building development program, was established at Michigan State University (FTF 2021). This current initiative builds on prior USAID‐funded research and training. Past programs include the Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Collaborative Research on Grain Legumes (2013–2017), which was an extension of the USAID Dry Grain Pulses Collaborative Research Support Program (Pulse CRSP) (2007–2012) and various earlier awards under Bean/Cowpea CRSP (1980–2007). This sustained federal support of research programs on grain legumes is due, in part, to important role legumes play in improving the livelihoods of smallholder farmers through income and farm productivity. The overall goals of the program project management are to increase sustainable and inclusive agricultural growth, strengthen the resilience of communities and agricultural and economic systems, and enhance the diets of individuals living in West and southern Africa (Nigeria, Niger, Mali, Ghana, Benin, Burkina Faso, Senegal, Mozambique, Malawi, and Zambia) and the United States (FTF 2021).

Fig. 1.8. Nutritious pulses for sustainable future – key messages.

Source: IYP (2016)

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Fig. 1.9. Countries with USAID’s Pulse CRSP supported projects.

Source: USAID (2012).

The Legume Systems Innovation Lab focuses on collaborative projects associated with two primary crops, common bean, and cowpea. These crops provide exceptional levels of nutrient dense staple foods. Further, it is fully recognized that legumes are especially important for women in many regions of the world, as they are often the producers, traders, and consumers of the crop. Collaborating international legume scientists and partner institutions enhance the global mission of improving livelihoods and nutritional impacts throughout legume value chains. Support of graduate student research training is critical to improving the research capacity of scientists in developing countries and is an important goal of this program (FTF 2021).