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Grain Legumes May Enhance High-Quality Food Production in Europe

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Emerging Research in Alternative Crops

Part of the book series: Environment & Policy ((ENPO,volume 58))

Abstract

At present high-quality protein-rich food sources are increasing to offer a sustainable alternative for the growing world population demand. Plant protein production favors biodiversity, environmental sustainability, and human health.

The production of plant proteins is more cost-effective and resource-efficient compared to meat proteins since they are less exigent in terms of natural resources (nitrogen, water, etc.). The natural nitrogen fixation of legumes enriches soils and benefits cropping systems. Reducing red meat consumption and increasing consumption of protein from other sources could also increase health benefits.

In this chapter we analyze the production and use of protein crops for human consumption and review their sustainability under Northern and Southern European environments.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    Aarstiderne A/S is a Danish box scheme farm-based company that produces organic vegetables that are delivered in boxes directly to around 60,000 costumers per year in Denmark and the Scandinavian region. Their farms are located in Krogerup and Barrit (Denmark).

  2. 2.

    The water footprint account the total volume of water needed to produce; it is calculated tacking into account water consumption and pollution.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by PROTEIN2FOOD project within the EU Horizon 2020 research and innovation program (grant agreement 635727).

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Author notes

  1. Both the authors “G. Alandia” and “C. Pulvento” are co-first authors for this chapter

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Taastrup, Denmark

    G. Alandia, N. Hoidal, T. Anemone, E. Nigussie, J. J. Agüero & S. -E. Jacobsen

  2. CNR––Instituto per I Sistemi Agricoli e Forestali del Mediterraneo (ISAFoM), Ercolano, NA, Italy

    C. Pulvento, M. H. Sellami & A. Lavini

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  1. G. Alandia
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Correspondence to C. Pulvento .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. African Sustainable Agriculture Research Institute, Mohammed VI Polytechnic University, Laayoune, Morocco

    Abdelaziz Hirich

  2. Institute of Agronomy & Veterinary Hassan II, Rabat, Morocco

    Redouane Choukr-Allah

  3. Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Wallingford, Oxfordshire, UK

    Ragab Ragab

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Alandia, G. et al. (2020). Grain Legumes May Enhance High-Quality Food Production in Europe. In: Hirich, A., Choukr-Allah, R., Ragab, R. (eds) Emerging Research in Alternative Crops. Environment & Policy, vol 58. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-90472-6_2

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