BSF project "Genetic and trait characterisation of farmer and genebank sources of bambara groundnut for the development of drought tolerant lines in sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia"

This Benefit-sharing project addresses nutritional, food and income security among resource-poor, rural communities in Sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia, where small farmers are becoming increasingly vulnerable to the severity, duration and unpredictability of drought, caused by climate change. Project partners are working with farmer networks to conserve, develop and evaluate crop genetic diversity for bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea (L.) Verdc.). Bambara groundnut is known as a “complete food” and is drought-tolerant and nitrogen-fixing, which helps replenish soil nutrients – making it suitable for intercropping systems, especially in drought-prone regions.