Pulse crops for sustainable farms in sub-Saharan Africa
Pulse crops for sustainable farms in sub-Saharan Africa

Author: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

Publisher: Food & Agriculture Org.

Published: 2018-05-22

Total Pages: 60

ISBN-13: 9251300887

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Pulses have a long history in sub-Saharan Africa due to their multiple benefits. Pulses, and legumes in general, can play an important role in agriculture because of their ability to biologically fix atmospheric nitrogen and to enhance the biological turnover of phosphorus; thus they could become the cornerstone of sustainable agriculture in Africa. In this sense, there is a body of literature that points to diversification of existing production systems – particularly legumes species, which provide critical environmental services, including soil erosion control and soil nutrient recapitalization. This publication is a review of some of the promising strategies to support the cultivation and utilization of pulses on smallholder farms in sub-Saharan Africa. The review is part of the legacy of the International Year of Pulses (IYP), which sought to recognize the contribution that pulses make to human well-being and the environment.

Sustainable Intensification
Sustainable Intensification

Author: Jules N. Pretty

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2012-06-25

Total Pages: 292

ISBN-13: 1136529276

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Continued population growth, rapidly changing consumption patterns and the impacts of climate change and environmental degradation are driving limited resources of food, energy, water and materials towards critical thresholds worldwide. These pressures are likely to be substantial across Africa, where countries will have to find innovative ways to boost crop and livestock production to avoid becoming more reliant on imports and food aid. Sustainable agricultural intensification - producing more output from the same area of land while reducing the negative environmental impacts - represents a solution for millions of African farmers. This volume presents the lessons learned from 40 sustainable agricultural intensification programmes in 20 countries across Africa, commissioned as part of the UK Government's Foresight project. Through detailed case studies, the authors of each chapter examine how to develop productive and sustainable agricultural systems and how to scale up these systems to reach many more millions of people in the future. Themes covered include crop improvements, agroforestry and soil conservation, conservation agriculture, integrated pest management, horticulture, livestock and fodder crops, aquaculture, and novel policies and partnerships.

Dry Beans and Pulses
Dry Beans and Pulses

Author: Muhammad Siddiq

Publisher: John Wiley & Sons

Published: 2012-08-29

Total Pages: 452

ISBN-13: 1118448286

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The common beans and pulses are diverse food resources of high nutritional value (protein, energy, fiber and vitamins and minerals) with broad social acceptance. These legume crops demonstrate global adaptability, genotypic and phenotypic diversity, and multiple means of preparation and dietary use. Beans and pulses are produced in regions as diverse as Latin America, Africa, Asia, and North America, and on a scale similar to some other crops, such as wheat, corn, rice and soybeans. Numerous factors influence utilization, including bean type and cultivar selection, cropping environment and systems, storage conditions and handling infrastructure, processing and final product preparation. Nutrient content and bio-availability are dramatically influenced by these conditions. In recent years, beans and pulses have been cited for imparting specific positive health potentiating responses, such as hypocholesteremic response, mitigation of diabetes and colonic cancer, and weight control. Enhanced dry bean utilization focused on improved dietary health is an opportunity within both subsistent and developed populations. This book provides a contemporary source of information that brings together current knowledge and practices in the value chain of beans/pulses production, processing, and nutrition. It provides in-depth coverage of a wide variety of pertinent topics including: breeding, postharvest technologies, composition, processing technologies, food safety, quality, nutrition, and significance in human health. An experienced team of over 25 contributors from North America, Asia, and Africa has written 15 chapters, divided into three sections: Overview, production and postharvest technologies of beans and pulses Composition, value-added processing and quality Culinology, nutrition, and significance in human health Contributors come from a field of diverse disciplines, including crop sciences, food science and technology, food biochemistry, food engineering, nutritional sciences, and culinology. Dry Beans and Pulses Production, Processing and Nutrition is an essential resource for scientists, processors and nutritionists, whatever the work setting.

Cover Crops in West Africa
Cover Crops in West Africa

Author: International Development Research Centre (Canada)

Publisher: IDRC

Published: 1998

Total Pages: 319

ISBN-13: 088936852X

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Cover Crops in West Africa Contributing to Sustainable Agriculture

The global economy of pulses
The global economy of pulses

Author: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

Publisher: Food & Agriculture Org.

Published: 2019-10-18

Total Pages: 190

ISBN-13: 9251097305

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The production, trade and consumption of pulses have seen substantial growth over the last fifteen years. This report examines the trends and patterns of this growth, and the factors that explain these for different kinds of pulses. The report presents an analysis of trends of consumption of pulses in different regions of the world and discusses the role that pulses can play in human nutrition. The report presents an analysis of the dynamics of growth of major pulses in different pulse-producing countries of the world. It describes the increasingly important role of trade in the global economy of pulses and presents an analysis of changing patterns of trade. The report argues that there is a pressing need to close the large gap between potential and actual yields, particularly on smallholder farms in South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, by increased adoption of improved varieties and modern agronomic practices in all developing countries. This in turn requires a major thrust in agricultural research and extension, improving credit availability, and public investment directed at pulse production. The report discusses future prospects and policy imperatives for sustaining the growth of pulse production.

Lost Crops of Africa
Lost Crops of Africa

Author: National Research Council

Publisher: National Academies Press

Published: 2006-10-27

Total Pages: 378

ISBN-13: 0309164540

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This report is the second in a series of three evaluating underexploited African plant resources that could help broaden and secure Africa's food supply. The volume describes the characteristics of 18 little-known indigenous African vegetables (including tubers and legumes) that have potential as food- and cash-crops but are typically overlooked by scientists and policymakers and in the world at large. The book assesses the potential of each vegetable to help overcome malnutrition, boost food security, foster rural development, and create sustainable landcare in Africa. Each species is described in a separate chapter, based on information gathered from and verified by a pool of experts throughout the world. Volume I describes African grains and Volume III African fruits.

Healthy and Sustainable Food Systems
Healthy and Sustainable Food Systems

Author: Mark Lawrence

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2019-10-18

Total Pages: 280

ISBN-13: 1351189018

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This comprehensive text provides the latest research on key concepts, principles and practices for promoting healthy and sustainable food systems. There are increasing concerns about the impact of food systems on environmental sustainability and, in turn, the impact of environmental sustainability on the capacity of food systems to protect food and nutrition security into the future. The contributors to this book are leading researchers in the causes of and solutions to these challenges. As international experts in their fields, they provide in-depth analyses of the issues and evidence-informed recommendations for future policies and practices. Starting with an overview of ideas about health, sustainability and equity in relation to food systems, Healthy and Sustainable Food Systems examines what constitutes a food system, with chapters on production, manufacturing, distribution and retail, among others. The text explores health and sustainable diets, looking at issues such as overconsumption and waste. The book ends with discussions about the politics, policy, personal behaviours and advocacy behind creating healthy and sustainable food systems. With a food systems approach to health and sustainability identified as a priority area for public health, this text introduces core knowledge for students, academics, practitioners and policy-makers from a range of disciplines including food and nutrition sciences, dietetics, public health, public policy, medicine, health science and environmental science.

Dry Beans and Pulses
Dry Beans and Pulses

Author: Muhammad Siddiq

Publisher: John Wiley & Sons

Published: 2022-01-31

Total Pages: 604

ISBN-13: 1119777119

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Dry Beans and Pulses The second edition of the most complete and authoritative reference on dry beans production, processing, and nutrition available Since the first edition of Dry Beans and Pulses: Production, Processing, and Nutrition was published in 2012, the popularity of pulse crops as sustainable, nutritionally-rich food ingredients for alternate meat and other food products has increased significantly beyond traditional utilization. Retaining its distinctive value-chain approach to the subject, the new edition is fully revised to provide up-to-date coverage of breeding, composition, quality, nutritional profiles, postharvest and processing technologies, food safety and security, significance to human health, and more. A team of more than fifty contributors review recent research, consumer trends, new products, and food security issues in dry beans processing and value-added practices. New chapters address Hard-to-cook phenomenon and other storage-induced quality defects, quality assessment of raw and processed legumes using innovative technologies, utilization of dry beans and pulses as ingredients in diverse food products, and the production, processing, and nutritional profile of Faba beans and chickpeas and lentils. Covering both traditional and non-traditional bean classes, this comprehensive volume: Features new topics, expanded discussion, updated references, and additional figures and tables throughout Provides in-depth information on key aspects of production technologies, value-added processing, and Culinology® Examines global production and consumption, packaging and distribution, and nutrient bioavailability of bioactive compounds Highlights worldwide efforts to improve the quality and utilization of dry beans and pulses Discusses emerging trends and new applications of antioxidant properties of dry beans as functional foods Features chapters written by experts in disciplines such as crop science, horticulture, food science and technology, food biochemistry and engineering, and nutritional and environmental sciences Dry Beans and Pulses: Production, Processing, and Nutrition, Second Edition remains required reading for food scientists, nutritionists, agronomists, researchers, food processing specialists, and food security experts, food engineers and chemists involved in dry beans processing and value-added technologies.

Legumes Research
Legumes Research

Author: Jose C. Jimenez-Lopez

Publisher: BoD – Books on Demand

Published: 2022-10-12

Total Pages: 482

ISBN-13: 1839694904

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This book is a collection of updated studies related to current improvements in legume traits and their agricultural benefits. It discusses the physiological functions, genetics, and genomics of legume crops. Chapters address such topics as genetics and biological insights of seed traits in the context of climate change, improving quality and yields of legume seeds, new genetic resources from diverse germplasms, and agricultural benefits of legumes in agroecosystems.