Why Grain Legumes?

Concerns Solutions Why CrainLegumes? Production is being displaced to cereals, leading to higher legume prices and negative nu- tritional impacts Better varieties and farm management practices In some regions such as Malawi, local groundnut varieties yield no more than 0.8 tons per hectare even in good conditions when 1.7 to 2.5 tons per hectare is possible with improved varieties and Much greater productivity gains in cereals during the past 40 years has contributed to displacement of many legumes in farming systems, reducing the supply of affordable legumes and possibly contributing to negative nutritional outcomes (such as a higher prevalence of iron-deficiency anemia in South Asia). Demand for grain legumes is expected to grow by 1 percent per year through 2020 placing more pressure on supplies and prices. 1 management practices. Production is large and important for developing countries 1.7 to 2.5 tons 0.8 tons Grain Legumes are primarily grown in developing countries. Consumption of legumes have dropped significantly below optimal levels: Development down the value chain The optimal ratio of cereal to legume foods in traditional diets is 2 tol, but due to low yields and higher prices, that ratio in South and Southeast Asia has now reached 9 to 1 Almost 8 key legumes attract - Post harvest practices - Policy support Market access 200million US$24 billion Food Safety - Building interest from the private sector and farmers - Building consumer knowledge - Developing suitable products. Grain legumes can be heavily attacked by insects/pests due to richness in lipids/proteins. Aflotoxin in peanuts has posed health risks and the loss of markets. hectares of Grain Legumes are grown globally; exceeding that of wheat or maize. in market value at the farm gate per annum in the devel- oping countries, on a par with maize or wheat. 6. Saves the farm Commonly farmed by women Hardy and water efficient High in protein and nutrients The pigeonpea's drought tolerance makes it particularly valuable in drought prone areas. This is often the only crop that yields grain during dry spells when other crops such as maize have dried up. in many countries and so a source of In Mali, 85% of groundnut is farmed by A major source of protein in developing countries. Used to fight severe and chronic malnutrition empowerment and income. 85% women. 2-4 times higher protein Chickpea paste Wawa Mum (World Food Program Pakistan) content than cereals Rescues after failed crops Provides a third of the pro- tein needs of humans, and under subsistence conditions the proportion increases to twice this amount. Can be sown later in the season to come to the rescue of failed Improves soil health by fixing nitrogen and extracting phosphorus. This means it: Groundnut-based Plumpynut ONutriset/UNICEF) crops: When cereal, root or tuber crops are damaged by drought, the later sown legume can bring critically needed food security and income to farming families. Improves farm pro- ductivity of all the Reduces fertilizer needs. Fast growing Protein levels Chickpea varieties like JG11 can mature in as little as 3 months, enabling the crop to escape drought. Yields in parts of India have more than doubled (from 600 to 1400 kgs per hectare). This is now being widely adopted in Africa. crops. Chickpeas Groundnut oil Rich in nutrients Ideal for sustainable intensification: Due to the natural fertilization effect, they can not only satisfy their own nutrient needs An affordable source of protein Ideal for rotation, double and inter crop- ping with cereal crops because the fertili- zation effect of grain legumes increases the yields of the other crops. This allows for diversity of farming systems which re- duces the risk of farm-wide harvest loss and increases farm resilience to climate Ca Fe Zn 17% Legumes are more affordable than meat and dairy, the cheapest available source of protein for the poor and for vegetarians in many developing countries. 26% Calcium Iron folate and provitamin A. Zinc but provide for the follow- ing crops. change. Export opportunities exist 4 Assistance in Ethiopia led to a 21-fold increase in export earnings, to $21 million per annum (from 2005 to 2010). Multiple uses Fertilizer Adding nitrogen. Food Fodder Other -Firewood. EG Protein and vitamin A and B Oil content in pigeonpea leaves and podded branches make it valuable for livestock fodder. Weaving baskets- Fences and thatched roofs. - Traditional medicines. US$33 million in extra value to impoverished farmers in Tanzania came through assistance that tripled yields and boosted exports. Major crops, eg wheat and rice, are mainly used only for food.