Research and development aims to improve sustainable pulse production
Food fair stirs awareness about pulses.
Over eight million Ethiopian smallholder farmers grow food legumes on 1.7 million hectares of land mainly for household consumption, cash income and animal feed. The Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research (EIAR) organized “national forage and food legume research and development review conference with the running theme of ‘legumes for healthy food, income, animal feed and sustainable agriculture in the face of rapidly changing climate’.”
Fostering enhanced research is one of the focus attention of the International Year of Pulses, stated Mr. Amadou Allahoury Diallo, FAO Representative in Ethiopia, during his opening remark. He went on, this is an opportunity to promote the multiple benefits of pulses in food security.
FAO Ethiopia works with agriculture and research institutions to improve the production and productivity of food and forage legumes.
EIAR research and development conference brought together researchers, farmers, input suppliers, the private sector, and agro industries working along the value chain to review the achievements in the last decade and design strategy to address the needs farmers, consumers and traders in the face of emerging threats, and changes in climate and farming systems.
On behalf of the Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources, His Excellency State Minister Dr. Kaba Urgessa said, Leguminous crops are key elements of livelihood support system as a source of food, income and soil restorer. In view of our shared objectives and mutual desire to cooperate in agricultural research to develop leguminous crops, we look forward to enhanced and fruitful partnership, he added.
EIAR has been working on pulse research for over the last ten years. EIAR Deputy Director General, Dr. Adugna Wakjira said, EIAR has released various research outcomes including improved and high-yielding species, farming technologies, production systems and innovative experiences.
As a sideline event, the private sector and food research institution displayed food prepared from pulses, improved pulse seed varieties and technologies that improve post-harvest management.
For more information, contact:
Tamiru Legesse l National Communication Offcier l [email protected]