The Dimensions of impact

Early-maturing varieties have helped revolutionize smallholder farming across the SAT

• Reduced risk of crop failure because plants escape end-of-season drought

• Improved yield stability and better pest and disease resistance ensure adequate food in most years, even in risky environments

• Earlier harvests provide food during the traditional "hunger period"

• Savings in food aid far greater than research costs.

• Sub-Saharan Africa — sorghum variety Macia released in five countries, slashing time and costs for variety development

• Research in India adapted to Africa — e.g., sorghum S35 in Chad and Cameroon, watershed-based soil and water management methods in Ethiopia

• Africa benefits Asia: Millet ‘Iniadi’ germplasm from Togo became the most popular open-pollinated variety in India.

• Spillovers into developed countries — ICRISAT chickpea and sorghum research generated benefits in Australia worth A$ 36.4 million.

Higher incomes

Adoption of short-duration pigeonpea cultivar ICPL 87 in southern India led to

• 93% yield gains

• 12% reduction in production costs

• 30% increase in farm incomes

• Improved soil fertility — cited by farmers as a specific reason for adoption.

Benefits to women

New groundnut varieties and improved crop management methods resulted in

• Easier weeding and harvesting

• More employment opportunities

• Greater involvement in decision making.