Mainstreaming Efficient Legume Seed Systems in Eastern Africa: Challenges, Opportunities and Contributions towards Improved Livelihoods

Summary

This technical paper begins with an introduction to grain legumes and their importance in Eastern Africa, followed by trends in production and productivity, variety development, release, and promotion. It proposes and describes 12 basic principles necessary to mainstream legume seed systems (and thereby legume production and utilization) in crop development programs for sustainable agricultural intensification in the region. It was developed through a highly collaborative effort among technical experts at the FAO Subregional Office for Eastern Africa, CIAT, ICRISAT, ICARDA, and Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology.