Agricultural Systems Intensification and Diversification through Food Legumes: Technological and Policy Options

Abstract

Food legumes provide an important opportunity to contribute to world food supplies in a sustainable way, through intensification and diversification of agricultural systems in the developing world and by providing a major source of nutrition for the world’s poor. However, over the past two decades per capita production and consumption of food legumes has steadily fallen, in contrast to the rapid growth of cereals, soybeans, and livestock products. Yields of food legumes, especially those grown in the cool season, have stagnated as crop area has often been forced into marginal areas and no yield breakthroughs have occurred. Meanwhile, there are serious problems of sustainability of cereal-based systems in the favored areas. This is due, in part, to an increased dominance of monocropping with displacement of legumes. Legume production is also risky. A high variation in yield is compounded by seasonal and annual price fluctuations in both domestic and international markets, which are often thin and fragmented.

Recent examples of the intensification and diversification of agricultural systems through the introduction of legumes in Turkey, Pakistan, and West Africa are discussed. These success stories highlight key issues in increasing food legume supplies, especially the identification of appropriate varieties for specific niches, reducing risks through tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses, greater emphasis on consumer preferences for grain type, and seeking opportunities to lower costs, especially labor costs. Increased emphasis should also be given to identifying niches in more favored environments which offer potential for expanding the legume area, especially through double and triple cropping. Whether for favored or marginal areas, targeted extension campaigns will be an important element of any strategy. Finally, there is potential to improve markets and reduce price fluctuations through liberalization of trade and investment in market information, infrastructure, public awareness programs, and research on convenience foods.