[2] Due to its drought-resistant qualities, its ability to combat soil erosion and its high protein content, moth bean has been identified as possibly a more significant food source in the future.

[1] Yellow flowers develop into a brown pod 2.5 to 5 cm in length, which holds 4 to 9 seeds inside.

[1] The rectangular seeds exist in a variety of colours including yellow-brown, whitish-green, and mottled with black.

While its presence in Sudan, Somalia and other tropical countries of Africa has been noted, it has not been a crop of great importance to this region.

Grown at altitudes up to 1300 m above sea level, it has a wide pH range (3.5–10) and can tolerate slight salinity.

Mowers cannot be used due to the shape and density of the moth bean's branches, so the crop is typically cut with a sickle.

[1] Root rot and seedling blight from Macrophomina phaseolina also cause damage, as well as some Striga species and the nematode Meloidogyne incognita.

In India, particularly in the state of Maharashtra, moth beans are sprouted before cooking and used for making a spicy stew called matki usal.

[10] Matki usal forms the base of the Indian street food dish called misal pav.

[8] However, research has shown that the moth bean contains considerably less of these factors compared with other legume grains, making it a more beneficial choice for consumption.

[8] Soaking and cooking moth beans before consumption helps to break down antinutritional factors and makes the protein more digestible.

[8] While its drought tolerance and high protein content could make the moth bean a potential crop choice for semi-arid Africa, a lack of management knowledge and the difficulty of harvest due to its density and creeping nature could make its spread to other parts of the world difficult.