Forum global sur la sécurité alimentaire et la nutrition (Forum FSN)

I agree with Vicki Morrone that seed systems policies and implementation are a major constraint to improvements in legume productivity for smallholder farmers, and enabling more options with the seed systems, especially for local quality seed production, is important.  Even with relatively modest research investments, the national systems in collaboration with US universities, CGIAR and other partners have released varieties that resist or are tolerant to many biotic and abiotic stresses.

With climate change, the diversity in legumes as well as the advances in varietal development can help reduce risks and provide alternatives, but only with the research and extension systems can partner to get the quality seeds out along with the needed education on options.  The State of Food and Agriculture 2016 (http://bit.ly/2exORXO ) just released today indicates the role of legumes in reducing carbon emissions, and other research shows that as a human protein sources, legumes use much less water, inorganic fertilizer and land per kilo of protein produced, although they must be eaten with complementary grains for complete proteins.  

As mentioned by Pierrette Mubadi, there is a tendency to leave legumes behind as households transition to middle and higher income or shift from rural to urban.  The cooking time and convenience issues are important for some, but efforts to make the humble legumes “modern” or “desirable” are needed to change the perception of legumes as the “protein of the poor” or desperation food.  In Guatemala the MASFRIJOL program (http://legumelab.msu.edu/associated_projects/masfrijol ) of USAID with the Feed the Future Legume Innovation Lab is working to value consumption based on common beans as a “heritage food” to be treasured for all the nutrients they bring to soils and human health.  In Ecuador, a radio campaign was created with one of the champion soccer players from the bean growing area touting how beans make him a great player. For Rwanda, bean songs are available on youtube.   Do these efforts have an effect? We need the research to assess!  Perception and behavior change is challenging, as we all know.

Then there is the research on infant feeding and possible positive contributions that grain legumes such as common beans and cowpeas can make towards a healthy gut.  It is not just the nutrients in the beans that makes the difference in the human microbiome. With the rise of non-communicable diseases such as diabetes and heart disease in developing countries, the "healthy food" aspects grain legumes merit more attention and continued research. Cooking methods and breeding efforts to reduce the anti-nutritional aspects while enhancing the nutritional benefits are well worth the research investments.

As an economist I am only now beginning to understand all the contributions that grain legumes can make when incorporated into a diverse production system as well as diverse diet. 

A good approach that has shown its positive impact with other foods would be the integration of pulses-based recipes in mainstream recipes media programs (radio, tv, blogs, facebook, etc.)

The promoted recipes could be based on traditional recipes from historically pulses consuming countries or made in an innovative manner between nutritionists and cuisine chefs. The objective should be to make the new recipe accepted by infants and children. Food habits start at early age and so should the introduction of healthy food preparations.

Pulses can be easily introduced into the diets of countries where they are not consumed. People of those countries might prefer meat to overcome protein deficiencies. We have to motivate those countries that pulses are cheaper source of protein as compared to meats. Moreover, much care is needed to consume meat, the reason might be its high perishablity. The mature seeds of pulses (grain legume crops) are cultivated for human consumption. There is no need to apply synthethic fertilizers because of their ability to fix nitrogen. They are component of nitrogen cycle. They are restorative crops, they can restore the fertility of soil. Therefore pulses have many advantages as compared to crops. They prevent the soil from erosion. They may be best experimental tools and genes can be easily transferred. The whole genetics in the begining circles around Peas. Pulses also have high amounts of protein than the cereals crops such as wheat, rice and maize, therefore there is need to raise awarness about the importance of pulses in the diet. The proteins of animals is so expensive as compared to proteins obtain from pulses. Pulses are important food component of our country. Due to urbanizations, diseases and pest attacks and severe floodings have significantly reduced the yield of pulses. The importances of pulses can be highlighted in those countries by arranging seminars, workshops and modern varieties of pulses also be supplied. Setting research laborities for the development of resistant cultivars is also an important step.  

From my experience, in Malawi the availability of quality and acceptible legume varieties is a challenge. Specific varieties are often available only through the International Centers and are not very accessible to small holder farmers. The legumes available at local markets are for consumption and often mixed, making production difficult or not suitable in the given environment. Research and extension efforts should focus on farmer selection of appropiate varieties and then follow a course of action that promotes and supports farmers increasing varieties for themselves and local markets. Current regulations in Malawi do not support the Quality Declared Seed Law that has been on the "books" since 2007.  The lack of access to farmer friendly laws for seed production makes it very difficult if not impossible for Small holder famers to legally engage in seed production. Collective efforts are slowly being made on regional levels but approaches by other countries that have led  success need to be promoted for others to be guided to a reasonable course of action.  Perhaps with facilitation by FAO seed specialists success can be increased for small holder farmers to be empowered to produce seed for local community use and not squelched due to lack of access to a feasible seed certification process.

English translation below

Les populations rurales ont tendance d'abandonner les habitudes traditionnelles (regime) au profit de ceux venant de l'exterieur, je pense que le manque d'information sur les avantages qu'offrent les légumineuses et le niveau d'instuction sont parmis les causes.Pour le cas de la RDC; le gouvernement doit promouvoir l'agriculture en appuiyant et en soutenant les associations,les privés...qui se lancent dans les activités agricoles on ne doit pas toujours attendre l'appui exterieur. Les légumineuses ont une place importantes dans la lutte contre la malnutrition des nos enfants car nos enfants ont besoin d' un aliment équilibré,varié et preparé dans des bonnes conditions, ils sont en période de croissance. Elles servent aussi des moyens de subsistances  de nos populations rurales, losqu'on produit en grande quantité on arrive a vendre pour subvenir a d'autres besoins. Pour finir la population doit comprendre les avantages de la production des légumineuses, le gouvernement doit accompagner Les initiatives de développement durable afin de lutter contre la pauvreté dans nos pays. Merci.

Rural populations tend to abandon their traditional dietary customs in favor of those that come from elsewhere. I think that inadequate information on the advantages offered by pulses and the level of instruction are among the causes.  In the case of the DRC, the government should promote agriculture by supporting and maintaining the associations, and the private sector……those that launch into agricultural activities should not always expect external support.  Pulses have an important place in the fight against malnutrition in children, because our children need food that is balanced, varied and prepared in good conditions, since they are growing. Pulses also serve as a means of subsistence for our rural population, and if produced in large quantities can be sold to provide for other needs.  Finally, people have to appreciate the advantages of the production of pulses.  The government must support sustainable development initiatives in order to fight against poverty in our countries.  Thank you.