Officially named Chitedze Pigeonpea 3 (ICPV 182026), the variety is well suited to shorter rainy seasons and delivers high yields, helping farmers adapt to climate pressures while expanding market opportunities for both grain and vegetable pigeonpea.

The variety was approved by the Malawi Department of Agricultural Research Services (DARS) following three seasons of multi-location trials in key agricultural zones across the country, including Chitedze, Chitala, Makoka, Baka, Bvumbwe, and Ngabu.

The research was carried out jointly by DARS, ICRISAT, and the Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Crop Improvement, with strong farmer participation in on-farm testing and variety selection.

Pigeonpea is a key pillar of Malawi’s legume sector, cultivated by an estimated 300,000–400,000 smallholder households and accounting for over 20 percent of the country’s total legume production.

Dr. Himanshu Pathak, Director General of ICRISAT, welcomed the release and emphasized its significance for dryland farming systems.

“On World Pulses Day, the release of Chitedze Pigeonpea 3 reflects partnerships delivering practical, science-driven solutions at a time of growing complexity for agriculture.

"As climate pressures intensify, crop innovations such as Chitedze Pigeonpea 3 are essential to strengthening food and nutrition security across Africa’s drylands and beyond.

"Early-maturing, high-performing varieties will continue to help farmers manage risk, reach markets faster, and secure more reliable harvests.

"This achievement builds on ICRISAT’s longstanding work in advancing improved legume varieties—an effort recognized with the Africa Food Prize—and reflects our continued focus on translating frontier research into tangible benefits for farmers, their families, and future generations,” said Dr. Pathak.

ICRISAT’s expertise in crop breeding is strengthening Malawi’s food security, with improved pigeonpea varieties helping farmers achieve higher yields, adapt to climate variability, and improve household incomes.

Pigeonpea remains one of Malawi’s most valuable legumes, contributing to cash income, food security, soil health, livestock feed, and export earnings.

However, reliance on medium- and long-duration varieties has constrained production as rainfall seasons become shorter and less predictable.

Chitedze Pigeonpea 3 responds to these challenges with early maturity of 100–120 days, high and stable yields of up to 1.6–1.9 tons per hectare under favorable conditions, suitability for double cropping, and strong adaptation to hot lowland environments.

Farmer participatory trials involving more than 120 farmers confirmed strong acceptance of the variety, which ranked among the most preferred for its vigor, pod set, and grain quality.

Dr. Grace Kaudzu, Director of DARS, underscored the national importance of the release.

“Our partnership with ICRISAT and other research partners reflects Malawi’s commitment to science-based agricultural transformation.

"Chitedze Pigeonpea 3 is the result of coordinated research, farmer, participation, and sustained investment in national breeding programs.

"Such collaboration ensures that innovations respond directly to farmers’ needs and reaches them faster,” said Dr. Kaudzu.

Beyond its commercial value, pigeonpea plays a critical role in sustaining farming systems by improving soil fertility through biological nitrogen fixation, helping to restore soil health and reduce the need for inorganic fertilizers.

A Milestone for Malawi’s Legume Sector

Pigeonpea is a cornerstone of Malawi’s legume economy, engaging an estimated 300,000–400,000 smallholder households and contributing more than 20 percent of national legume production.

Recognizing this strategic importance, the Ministry of Agriculture is now calling on seed companies, development partners, and private-sector actors to invest in rapid seed multiplication, distribution, and market development to expand the crop’s benefits nationwide.

Innovation Through Partnership

The development of ICPV 182026 was made possible through a partnership led by DARS and ICRISAT, with support from CIMMYT, Cornell University’s Crop Improvement Innovation Lab, extension services, station managers, and participating farmers.

The VACS–Pigeonpea project provided critical financial and technical support that strengthened breeding pipelines, enabled multi-location testing, and expanded farmer participatory evaluations, helping accelerate the delivery of this improved variety to farming communities.

Scientific and culinary innovations - pigeonpea plays a critical role in household nutrition, providing an affordable and accessible source of high-quality plant protein, essential minerals, and dietary fiber for rural families.