ISPC Commentary on Revised CRP 3.5: Grain Legumes

In previous commentaries on earlier submissions of CRP 3.5, the ISPC highlighted the need to strengthen justification for a CRP on grain legumes (GLs) and the approach used to prioritize across crop species, regions and constraints in the context of delivering impact. Issues related to narrowing the focus (fewer product lines), clearer articulation and justification of impact pathways and more effective integration with other CRPs were also highlighted. In response to these concerns, CRP 3.5 proponents have fully revised and restructured the proposal attempting to address each of the must-haves identified by the ISPC and FC. Substantial changes found in the new version attest to serious effort and commitment by proponents to address these concerns, and to the value of some key steps taken to revise the document: (i) the assembly of data on grain legumes for analysis of trends and setting of priorities, (ii) an assessment of past research, and (iii) an analysis of the constraints to adoption of improved legume technologies. The ISPC agrees with the proponents that this process has resulted in a substantially improved proposal that addresses the must-haves.