Contributions

d) Ex-ante evaluation of research and technology options

To support an ex-ante evaluation of relevant GLDC technologies, a commissioned study⁵² employed yield gap estimates, ex-ante impact analyses and return-on-investment projections, benchmarked against past results to rate priorities for crop improvement for the nine target crops. The projected economic benefits of the different lines of research are measured in terms of the net present value (NPV), IRR and benefit-cost ratios (BCR). To guide priority setting, the crop improvement options were ranked by agroecology based on the BCR as a measure of the net economic benefits per unit of investment.

The ex-ante economic impact assessment shows considerable potential for impact of investments in GLDC research. A number of research and technology options across agroecologies and crops have great potential to generate positive economic impacts, indicating the high profitability of investments in GLDC research to address a whole range of production and related constraints. The highest ranked research and technology options are:

1. 
   Short-duration, drought-tolerant varieties of groundnut, cowpea, soybean, pearl millet, sorghum, finger millet, pigeonpea and lentil coupled with soil and water conservation practices;
   
2. 
   Low P-tolerant varieties of groundnut and cowpea coupled with soil fertility management practices;
   
3. 
   Insect-resistant varieties of cowpea (aphids, thrips, pod sucking bugs, maruca) and pigeonpea (pod borers, pod fly, pod bugs) coupled with integrated pest management practices;
   
4. 
   Herbicide-tolerant varieties of chickpea and lentil;
   
5. 
   Disease-resistant varieties (Fusarium wilt, leaf spot/root rot) of chickpea, lentil and pigeonpea; and
   
6. 
   Disease-resistant varieties (rosette, rust, and blight) of groundnut, soybean, lentil and chickpea.