This is a joint programme among ICRISAT (chickpea, groundnut and pigeonpea), CIAT (common bean), and IITA (cowpea and soybean) and shall be implemented in full partnership with NARS in the countries selected for piloting. NGOs, CBOs, and private sector will also play important roles.

All the proposed activities will be carried out in partnership with scientists from the national agricultural research systems (NARS) in project countries. Capacity building will be common to all the seven objectives, addressing both research and product development infrastructure and the human resource development within the ten target countries. Research and development (R&D) activities will be adapted to suit specific needs both in the three major regions (Eastern and Southern Africa, West and Central Africa, and South Asia) and within specific countries.

Nine countries have been selected on the basis of the following factors:

• Suitability for one or more target legume crops;
• Suitability for evaluating one or more of the targeted stress factors (such as drought, disease, and pests);
• The spread and depth of poverty and the potential of legumes to reduce vulnerability of livelihoods;
• Agro-ecological representation and potential for spillovers to other areas;
• Potential for synergy with other ongoing efforts by governments and partner institutions; and
• Accessibility, feasibility, and likelihood of success.

The primary target countries for the selected crops are summarized below:

Region/Country	Groundnut	Cowpea			Bean	Chickpea		Pigeonpea	Soybean
ESA
Ethiopia	-	-			X	X		-	-
Kenya	-	-			X	X		-	X
Malawi	X	-			X	-		X	X
Mozambique	X	X			-	-		-	X
Tanzania	X	X			X	X		X	X
WCA
Mali	X	X			-	-		-	-
Niger	X	X			-	-		-	-
Nigeria	X	X			-	-		X	X
South Asia
India	X	-			-	X		X	-

As stated earlier, the two cross-cutting objectives, i.e. socio-economics and seed systems, will be carried out in all countries.