About

Archives of the MSU-led Collaborative Research Support Programs for Grain Legumes (Pulses) and the initial Innovation Lab for Collaborative Research on Grain Legumes

The archived programs include: 

• MASFRIJOL 
• Dry Grain Pulses Collaborative Research Program (Pulse CRSP)
• Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Collaborative Research on Grain Legumes (Legume Innovation Lab)
• Bean Technology Dissemination Project 
• Gates Integrated Pest Management (IPM) West Africa  

The Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Legume Systems Research (Legume Systems Innovation Lab) was established in 2018 as one of the 24 Innovation Lab funded through USAID, with its management office based at Michigan State University (MSU). This Innovation Lab follows a long history of investments in grain legumes by USAID, starting in the 1980s with the Bean/Cowpea Collaboration Research Support Program (CRSP) (1980-2006), the Pulse CRSP (2007-2012), and the Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Collaborative Research on Grain Legumes (Legume Innovation Lab) (2013-2017).  The CRSP programs and later Innovation Labs were established with funding allocated through Congress under Title XII legislation. As noted in the 10-Year Legacy Report, “the primary objective of Title XII is ‘the development of the LDC capacity for research, education, and/or extension; the training of participants; the conduct of research; the building or strengthening of related institutional infrastructure; and/or the provision of university advisors to development projects, all in agriculture, nutrition, agroforestry or closely related fields’ (USAID Policy Directive 9/9/82, p. 1).” Michigan State University has been the management entity for these collaborative research programs with strong competitive research grants, combining US researchers with researchers in key developing countries throughout the world.

During these various periods and programs, MSU has sought to strategically position legume research to support and contribute to the goals and objectives set forth in US government initiatives including Feed the Future and the Global Food Security Strategies. Legumes are recognized as a nutrient-dense staple, playing multifunctional roles in smallholder farm systems in developing countries. This includes providing for the food and nutritional security of households; generating needed income, especially for women, who are the principle producers of grain legumes in many regions of the world; and contributing to the sustainability of farm systems through soil enhancements and diversity. 

These grain legume programs developed collaborative research and technology dissemination activities addressed the development themes of the US government and specifically USAID while also integrating crosscutting themes related to improving the livelihoods of women and sustainably enhancing the research capacity of National Agricultural Research Systems (NARS) and agriculture universities in host countries.  Many students were funded within these research programs, helping to establish a human resource base to continue advancing grain legume research and impact.

The Ten Year Legacy Report documents much of the progress during the last 10 years of this history, with a view to the contributions made and its legacy. For more details on each of the programs, visit the Resources page for each program where you will be able to find more information on our projects.