This lecture focused on how effective communication can drive the adoption of underutilized legumes for improved nutrition, environmental sustainability, and food security. The keynote speaker, Katherine Lopez (IITA), emphasized that these crops—such as Bambara groundnut, pigeon pea, and African yam bean—are highly nutritious, climate-resilient, and locally adapted, yet remain underutilized. The central issue is not a lack of research or innovation, but rather low adoption due to weak communication, limited awareness, poor value chains, and fragmented knowledge systems.
A key message from the lecture is that communication is the missing link between research and impact. Successful agricultural innovations (e.g., Vitamin A maize, Aflasafe, and digital tools like Akilimo) demonstrate that strong communication—through campaigns, storytelling, and farmer engagement—can significantly increase adoption. The speaker highlighted the need to reframe underutilized legumes from being perceived as “poor man’s food” to desirable, healthy, and climate-smart options. Strategies such as using digital platforms, social media, cooking demonstrations, and influencer engagement were identified as critical for driving behavior change and increasing visibility.
The discussion also underscored systemic challenges and solutions. Participants highlighted issues such as limited access to improved seeds, weak extension services, and insufficient policy support. Proposed solutions included strengthening seed systems, building value chains, engaging grassroots actors, and adopting community-based scaling approaches. The overall conclusion was that underutilized legumes are “future foods” with immense potential, but unlocking this potential requires integrated communication strategies, stronger partnerships, and coordinated action across research, policy, and practice.
Related: Highlight: Main brands producing Bambara groundnut value-added products
Aonyx Foods - Bambara Groundnut and the Agrifood Technology Station (ATS) of the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) has used the Bambara Groundnut as a raw material to create several value-added products. These include dairy-substitutes, baked-goods, meat-substitutes, and beverages.Download here the Aonyx Bambara groundnut product range potential which includes several gluten-, lactose- and cholesterol-free value-added products. These include dairy substitutes, baked goods, meat substitutes and beverages. These products have the potential to be rapidly scaled up to provide niche and alternative products that are nutritious and marketable.
CPUT is looking to create a manufacturing business, vertically integrating with other sectors in the country. It is currently looking for investors to partner with us to take this business opportunity forward
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