Dolichos is an oldest leguminous crop knows to man. It grows in dry and semi-arid regions of Asia, Africa and America. In India, it is popular in south, east and north-east parts of the country for vegetable, pulse and fodder purpose. It is rich in protein, minerals and vitamins, and is a major source of protein for South Indian diet. It also provides nutritious green fodder to milch animals. Apart from being draught tolerant, it has high adaptability to wide range of production conditions. It also improves soil fertility by fixing atmospheric nitrogen and adding more organic carbon to soil. Despite its multi-utility and multi-benefits, Dolichos is still an underutilized and unexplored crop in terms of area under cultivation and efforts towards its genetic improvement. Adaptation and mitigation strategies against climate change induced threats to global food security; biodiversity and sustainable development require climate resilient crops like Dolichos. It is a potential crop for sustainable agriculture in dry land ecosystems assuring food and income security to small and marginal farmers of this region. Thus, attention should be given for comprehensive genetic improvement and conservation of plant genetic resources of Dolichos.
