The Society of Underutilised Legumes at IITA

2 September 2026. AFS Kigali. Interview with Dr. Taofeek Tope Adegboyega.

He is a researcher and advocate for the development and wider utilization of underutilised legumes in Africa. 

• SUL was established in 2016 at the Genetic Resources Centre, International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA)  under the mentorship of Prof Micheal Abberton. Dr. Adegboyega and his team has contributed to research on the nutritional value, conservation, and potential of indigenous legumes such as Bambara groundnut, African yam bean, and Winged bean. 
• As President of the Society for Underutilized Legumes (SUL), Dr. Adegboyega has championed collaboration among researchers, farmers, government agencies, and other stakeholders to promote these crops as important resources for food and nutrition security, climate resilience, and sustainable livelihoods. 
• His leadership has also focused on increasing awareness, strengthening research, and supporting the commercialization of underutilised legumes in Africa and beyond.

Following up on the success of the participation at the inaugural CGIAR Science Week, in this interview he gives some more background on the webinars organised by SUL as well as expansion into East Africa particularly Rwanda where a field trial has just been completed on Bambara groundnut, African yam bean and winged bean. This was accomplished in  collaboration with researchers from the University of Rwanda and  Rwanda Agricultural Board (RAB) at the Huye campus. The team is interested in development strategies for novel medicinal products for related NCDs, climate resilience and food safety.

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The Society of Underutilised Legumes

The Society of Underutilised Legumes, Genetic Resources Center, International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) is an important platform for promoting the awareness, conservation, and use of lesser-known legume crops. Underutilised legumes, such as bambara groundnut, African yam bean, and other indigenous legumes, have significant nutritional, environmental, and economic value but often receive less attention than major crops. Through research, knowledge sharing, and collaboration, the society helps highlight the potential of these crops to contribute to food and nutrition security.

One of the key roles of the Society is to encourage research and innovation around underutilised legumes. These crops can provide valuable sources of protein, vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients while also supporting sustainable agricultural practices. Many legumes are well adapted to local environmental conditions and can improve soil fertility through biological nitrogen fixation. By bringing researchers, students, farmers, and other stakeholders together, the Society creates opportunities to exchange ideas and develop practical approaches for increasing the production and consumption of these important crops.

The Society of Underutilised Legumes at IITA therefore represents more than an academic or research initiative; it is a step towards building resilient and sustainable food systems. Greater investment in underutilised legumes can help diversify diets, strengthen farmers’ livelihoods, preserve agricultural biodiversity, and improve resilience to climate change. With continued research, public awareness, and collaboration, these often-overlooked crops can become an important part of Africa’s agricultural future.

Scientific Conference

The Society for Underutilized Legumes (SUL) is planning its 9th International Scientific Conference
and Annual General Meeting for October 2026 at Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, Nigeria.

The conference is expected to provide a major platform for researchers, academics, students, policymakers, farmers, breeders, food scientists, entrepreneurs and other stakeholders to discuss the development and wider utilization of underutilised legumes.

YOU CAN JOIN THE SUL WHATSAPP GROUP HERE 

And the Journal of Underutilized Legumes here