Accelerating agricultural growth remains one of the most urgent goal of Ethiopia as the agricultural sector is the backbone of the Ethiopian economy. The adoption of new agricultural technologies and improved practices are particularly important in increasing agricultural production. This comprises strengthening legumes adoption and production as it contributes to better food security and more sustainable farming systems. Grain legumes are necessary elements of crop production in Ethiopia. The adoption and use of legume crops have been advocated for enhanced nutrition and preserving soil resources. Different improved varieties and legume production technologies have been made available to farmers through various sectors and projects in the country. Various policy measures and initiatives have also been made in improving the adoption, technology generation and contribution of legumes to the various system. Despite their contribution and considerable initiatives, over-all level of adoption and use of legume production is still low. A wide array of technical, economic, social, and institutional factors has been found to encounter the adoption, use and production of legumes along with their value-chain. However, there are still various opportunities that different grain legumes are to be adopted and promoted to increase production and productivity. Essential interventions, innovative approaches, increased production packages and improved technologies and market access should be emphasized and integrated to strengthen grain legumes adoption and production.

The study about the economic returns of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) by the use of rhizobium seed inoculation and different phosphorus doses was conducted at Bharatpur, Chitwan, from February to May 2022. The experiment was conducted in a two-factor randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications and eight treatments. Treatments were set as factor A: seed inoculation i.e., un-inoculated and inoculated; and factor B: four different phosphorus doses (20, 40, 60, 80 kg ha­-1). The cowpea variety ‘Prakash’ was used. Results revealed that the application of seed inoculation provides the highest returns compared to an un-inoculated one; similarly, in case of phosphorus dose of 40 kg P2O5 ha-1 gives the maximum economic returns compared to other phosphorus doses. Furthermore, the interaction of rhizobium inoculation with 40 kg ha­-1 gives the highest gross income (NRs. 216005), net return (NRs. 110829.39) and B: C (2.05) compared to all other single inoculation or phosphorus or interaction treatments ( 1 $ = NRs. 132.53) . From the result, it is concluded that the use of rhizobium inoculation along with 40 kg P2O5 ha­-1 would be economically profitable for the farmers under the Terai conditions of Nepal.