Strategic Breeding Investments for Legume Expansion: Lessons Learned from the Comparison of Groundnut and Pigeonpea

To examine key factors influencing global research spillovers, this study compares direct and spillover impacts of groundnut (GN) and pigeonpea (PP) research to be used for resource allocation. The estimation of global research benefits from breeding research uses an economic surplus based international trade model. GIS tools are used to analyze applicability of new technologies across a range of agro-climatically homogeneous zones. High photoperiod sensitivity and concentrated production of PP limits global applicability of varieties and thus spillover effects are lower as compared to GN. Comparing these two crops highlights the differences across crops and their potential global benefits. Utilization of spillover measures will assist in tailoring research investments to the individual characteristics of the crop, and thus increase research efficiency and ultimately enhance diffusion of improved varieties for the benefit smallholder farmers globally.