I have tried to answer all the questions with my persoanl experience.
Apart from kidney beans Africa has low consumption of other pulses while this is also a fact that large amount of Pigeon pea is exported to India and other countries from Eastern Africa while locally it is not much consumed. Pulses has been traditionally been an integral part of vegetarian food culture across Indian states from north to south and east to west. The food habits are part of a culture which emerges over a period of time. To make the pulses popular among African nationals other than just kidney beans, new recipes can be introduced through cross cultural events. I remember one of my Ugandan friend liked the way pulses are cooked in Indian style.
Being brought up in a first generation out of poverty household, I still remember pulse was among daily dietary food in my household. Still today pulses are important source of food in Indian marginal households; it is considered poor man's protein. There have been some research that with the increase in life style the consumption of pulses declines as they tend to have more vegan food items in their food. In India for a major segment of society it still is a integral part of the protein source and the recent price rise of pulses have also affected the lower income households short duration financial health. How it can still remain affordable to the poor is a matter of inquisition and a looming challenge for India
Pulses are largely grown in rain-fed situation of India. Even though the current increase in retail prices of pulses the farmer is not so much allured to cultivate pulses it in irrigated conditions. The reason pertained to it is lower production of pulses when compared to the cereals. In irrigated condition cereals such as Maize, Rice Wheat can fetch higher production and thus net income, so farmers do not choose pulses as sole crop. There are a few varieties which have been developed to meet the challenge. Rain-fed areas are by default under pulses production. I propose two solutions for buttressing farmers to produce more pulses; firstly making sure the farmer get assured prices for the pulses they grow through minimum support price as announced for cereals, secondly promoting intensively intercropping or border cropping of some pulses in cropping system which are longer in durations – Cotton, Castor, Sugarcane, Ginger. Not only the method will give additional income to the farmers but will also make optimum utilization of resources – water, labor, soil etc.
To adapt to climate change anomaly such as higher soil run off due to shortly-spanned-intensive rainfall which are likely in climate change, pulses has great role to play. In India AKRSP-India is promoting pulses such as Pigeon pea on undulated farm bunds to prevent the loss of bunds and followed by rich soil. Though we are in current implementation no substantial research report be produced.
I am ravenous eater of different pulses sprouts. The best way to get sprouts formation is first soaking the seeds for over 8 hours and later tying the seeds in a clean cotton cloth for another 8 hours until the seeds shows its first sprout long enough to enjoy raw. I although enjoy sprouts with a little olive oil sauté and curd, nothing best to start your day.
Mr. Gurpreet Singh