Grain legumes production and productivity in Ethiopian smallholder agricultural system, contribution to livelihoods and the way forward

Grain legumes are an important component of agricultural crops contributing to smallholder crop production, nutrition and income across the world. Ethiopia has a favorable and diverse agro-ecology for grain legumes production making the country one of the major grain legumes producing and supplying country. The annual production and productivity of grain legumes has been showing an increasing trend which is mainly attributed to high demand for nutrition and strong prices resulting from local and international market. Faba beans, haricot beans (white and red), field peas and chickpeas are the four leading grain legumes both in area of production and grain yield. In agricultural system of the country, legumes have been used in a mixed cropping system with cereals and other crops, mainly in crop rotation and intercropping. Grain legumes have also been used for various purposes including improving food and nutrition security, generation of income, soil fertility improvement, providing livestock feed, soil erosion control, water conservation and as a source of fuel. Despite their widespread production and multiple benefits, the production and productivity of grain legumes in Ethiopia is below potential. This is mainly due to low input usage, limited availability of seed, market problems and poor extension services. However, the country has huge potential to produce different grain legumes. Therefore, Ethiopia should more recognize the grain legume sectors, promotes modern agronomic practices and improved legume technologies that boost the production and productivity.

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