The project also seeks to enhance the level of scientific collaboration among the partners -- Queensland Department of Primary Industries, All India Coordinated Research Project on Groundnut and International Crop Research Institute for the Semi-arid Tropics (ICRISAT), according to Australian high commission.

Peanut is one of the most drought-tolerant of all the legumes and India being its largest producer in the world, any breakthrough in the technology would be of critical significance to the country. The development of drought resistant peanuts might also reduce threat to crop due to lack of rains but may also help in reducing the aflatoxin levels in the Indian varieties of peanut and would make them more acceptable in the international markets. Peanuts in shell form are popularly known as groundnut in India and are grownin various varieties. The HPS (Hand Picked Selected ) groundnut variety has immense potential for exports. The export performance of groundnut in 1997-98 was reminiscent of the year 1975-76 (Exports reached 2.00 lakh metric tonne) as the total export during the year were to the tune of 225221 metric tonne.