IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v9y2017i1p60-d86730.html

Expounding the Value of Grain Legumes in the Semi- and Arid Tropics

Author

Listed:
  • Tendai P. Chibarabada

    (Crop Science, School of Agricultural, Earth and Environmental Sciences, College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Private Bag X01, Scottsville, 3201 Pietermaritzburg, South Africa)

  • Albert T. Modi

    (Crop Science, School of Agricultural, Earth and Environmental Sciences, College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Private Bag X01, Scottsville, 3201 Pietermaritzburg, South Africa)

  • Tafadzwanashe Mabhaudhi

    (Crop Science, School of Agricultural, Earth and Environmental Sciences, College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Private Bag X01, Scottsville, 3201 Pietermaritzburg, South Africa)

Abstract

Approximately 70% of the population in the semi- and arid tropics reside in rural areas and depend on agriculture for their livelihood. Crop production is primarily focused on a few starchy staple crops. While this can ensure adequate calories, it inadvertently neglects the need for dietary diversity. Consequently, food and nutritional insecurity remains prevalent in the semi- and arid tropics. We reviewed the legume value chain with the aim to identify opportunities and challenges to unlocking their value and promoting them in the tropics. Several grain legumes are rich in proteins and micronutrients. They also possess adaptability to marginal environmental conditions such as drought and low input systems which typify rural landscapes. Adaptability to abiotic stresses such as drought makes them key to agriculture in areas that will receive less rainfall in the future. However, this potential was currently not being realized due to a range of challenges. Aspects related to their seed systems, production, post-harvest handling and marketing remain relatively under-researched. This was especially true for minor legumes. There is a need for trans-disciplinary research which will address the entire value chain, as has been done for major starchy crops. This could also unlock significant economic opportunities for marginalized groups such as women. This will unlock their value and allow them to contribute meaningfully to food and nutrition security as well as sustainable and resilient cropping systems.

Suggested Citation

  • Tendai P. Chibarabada & Albert T. Modi & Tafadzwanashe Mabhaudhi, 2017. "Expounding the Value of Grain Legumes in the Semi- and Arid Tropics," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(1), pages 1-25, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:9:y:2017:i:1:p:60-:d:86730
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/9/1/60/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/9/1/60/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Rachel Bezner Kerr, 2012. "Lessons from the old Green Revolution for the new: Social, environmental and nutritional issues for agricultural change in Africa," Progress in Development Studies, , vol. 12(2-3), pages 213-229, July.
    2. Food and Agriculture Organization, 2015. "The State of Food Insecurity in the World Meeting the 2015 International Hunger Targets: Taking Stock of Uneven Progress," Working Papers id:7595, eSocialSciences.
    3. Singh, K. M. & Singh, A. K., 2014. "Lentil in India: An Overview," MPRA Paper 59319, University Library of Munich, Germany, revised 23 Oct 2014.
    4. Mweetwa, Alice Mutiti & Mulenga, Malama & Mulilo, Xaviour & Ngulube, Munsanda & Banda, John S. K. & Kapulu, Ndashe & N’gandu, Shirley Handia, 2014. "Response of Cowpea, Soya Beans and Groundnuts to Non-Indigenous Legume Inoculants," Sustainable Agriculture Research, Canadian Center of Science and Education, vol. 3(4).
    5. Rockström, Johan & Karlberg, Louise & Wani, Suhas P. & Barron, Jennie & Hatibu, Nuhu & Oweis, Theib & Bruggeman, Adriana & Farahani, Jalali & Qiang, Zhu, 2010. "Managing water in rainfed agriculture--The need for a paradigm shift," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 97(4), pages 543-550, April.
    6. Sumberg, J., 2002. "The logic of fodder legumes in Africa," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 27(3), pages 285-300, June.
    7. van Halsema, Gerardo E. & Vincent, Linden, 2012. "Efficiency and productivity terms for water management: A matter of contextual relativism versus general absolutism," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 108(C), pages 9-15.
    8. Chengappa, P.G., 2004. "Emerging Trends in Agro-Processing in India," Indian Journal of Agricultural Economics, Indian Society of Agricultural Economics, vol. 59(01), pages 1-20.
    9. Graeub, Benjamin E. & Chappell, M. Jahi & Wittman, Hannah & Ledermann, Samuel & Kerr, Rachel Bezner & Gemmill-Herren, Barbara, 2016. "The State of Family Farms in the World," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 87(C), pages 1-15.
    10. Boland, Michael A., 2009. "Leadership Development in Agricultural Economics: Challenges for Academic Units," Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics, Western Agricultural Economics Association, vol. 34(3), pages 1-16, December.
    11. repec:iwt:bosers:h032631 is not listed on IDEAS
    12. Coomes, Oliver T. & McGuire, Shawn J. & Garine, Eric & Caillon, Sophie & McKey, Doyle & Demeulenaere, Elise & Jarvis, Devra & Aistara, Guntra & Barnaud, Adeline & Clouvel, Pascal & Emperaire, Laure & , 2015. "Farmer seed networks make a limited contribution to agriculture? Four common misconceptions," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 56(C), pages 41-50.
    13. Smith, Alex & Snapp, Sieglinde & Dimes, John & Gwenambira, Chiwimbo & Chikowo, Regis, 2016. "Doubled-up legume rotations improve soil fertility and maintain productivity under variable conditions in maize-based cropping systems in Malawi," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 145(C), pages 139-149.
    14. Watanabe, Michio & Jinji, Naoto & Kurihara, Mitsuyo, 2009. "Is the development of the agro-processing industry pro-poor?: The case of Thailand," Journal of Asian Economics, Elsevier, vol. 20(4), pages 443-455, September.
    15. Igbadun, Henry E. & Mahoo, Henry F. & Tarimo, Andrew K.P.R. & Salim, Baanda A., 2006. "Crop water productivity of an irrigated maize crop in Mkoji sub-catchment of the Great Ruaha River Basin, Tanzania," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 85(1-2), pages 141-150, September.
    16. Timmer, C. Peter, 1995. "Getting agriculture moving: do markets provide the right signals?," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 20(5), pages 455-472, October.
    17. repec:iwt:bosers:h032632 is not listed on IDEAS
    18. Ezumah, Nkoli N. & Di Domenico, Catherine M., 1995. "Enhancing the role of women in crop production: A case study of Igbo women in Nigeria," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 23(10), pages 1731-1744, October.
    19. Badr, M.A. & El-Tohamy, W.A. & Zaghloul, A.M., 2012. "Yield and water use efficiency of potato grown under different irrigation and nitrogen levels in an arid region," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 110(C), pages 9-15.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Tanja Dergan & Aneta Ivanovska & Tina Kocjančič & Pietro P. M. Iannetta & Marko Debeljak, 2022. "‘Multi-SWOT’ Multi-Stakeholder-Based Sustainability Assessment Methodology: Applied to Improve Slovenian Legume-Based Agri-Food Chains," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(22), pages 1-26, November.
    2. Bradley Ridoutt & Jessica R. Bogard & Kanar Dizyee & Lilly Lim-Camacho & Shalander Kumar, 2019. "Value Chains and Diet Quality: A Review of Impact Pathways and Intervention Strategies," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 9(9), pages 1-18, August.
    3. Mpandeli, S. & Naidoo, D. & Mabhaudhi, T. & Nhemachena, Charles & Nhamo, Luxon & Liphadzi, S. & Hlahla, S. & Modi, A. T., "undated". "Climate change adaptation through the water-energy-food nexus in southern Africa," Papers published in Journals (Open Access) H048960, International Water Management Institute.
    4. Ian M. Kirimi & Moses M. Muraya & Shelmith W. Munyiri & James K. Kiramana, 2024. "Factors Influencing Selection and production of Common Bean Cultivars in medium Potential Agro Ecological Zone of Imenti South Sub-County, Kenya," International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS), vol. 8(8), pages 3990-3999, August.
    5. Rodica Siminiuc & Dinu Țurcanu & Sergiu Siminiuc & Anna Vîrlan, 2025. "Integration of Nutritional and Sustainability Metrics in Food Security Assessment: A Scoping Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(7), pages 1-24, March.
    6. Tafadzwanashe Mabhaudhi & Tendai Polite Chibarabada & Vimbayi Grace Petrova Chimonyo & Vongai Gillian Murugani & Laura Maureen Pereira & Nafiisa Sobratee & Laurencia Govender & Rob Slotow & Albert The, 2018. "Mainstreaming Underutilized Indigenous and Traditional Crops into Food Systems: A South African Perspective," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(1), pages 1-22, December.
    7. Mohammed Kharbouche & Khalid El Khalidi & Redouane Mghaiouini & Ahmed Aajjane & Bendahhou Zourarah, 2025. "Innovative use of mine tailings as a soil amendment for growing Pisum sativum L," Plant, Soil and Environment, Czech Academy of Agricultural Sciences, vol. 71(7), pages 487-499.
    8. Racheal Akinola & Laura Maureen Pereira & Tafadzwanashe Mabhaudhi & Francia-Marié de Bruin & Loubie Rusch, 2020. "A Review of Indigenous Food Crops in Africa and the Implications for more Sustainable and Healthy Food Systems," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(8), pages 1-30, April.
    9. Sylvester Mpandeli & Dhesigen Naidoo & Tafadzwanashe Mabhaudhi & Charles Nhemachena & Luxon Nhamo & Stanley Liphadzi & Sithabile Hlahla & Albert T. Modi, 2018. "Climate Change Adaptation through the Water-Energy-Food Nexus in Southern Africa," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(10), pages 1-19, October.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Luxon Nhamo & James Magidi & Adolph Nyamugama & Alistair D. Clulow & Mbulisi Sibanda & Vimbayi G. P. Chimonyo & Tafadzwanashe Mabhaudhi, 2020. "Prospects of Improving Agricultural and Water Productivity through Unmanned Aerial Vehicles," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 10(7), pages 1-18, July.
    2. Luis Bauluz & Yajna Govind & Filip Novokmet, 2020. "Global Land Inequality," PSE Working Papers halshs-03022318, HAL.
    3. Sri Astutik & Jürgen Pretzsch & Jude Ndzifon Kimengsi, 2019. "Asian Medicinal Plants’ Production and Utilization Potentials: A Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(19), pages 1-33, October.
    4. Valentinov, Vladislav, 2012. "Understanding the rural third sector: insights from Veblen and Bogdanov," EconStor Open Access Articles and Book Chapters, ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics, vol. 41(1/2), pages 177-188.
    5. Cuffey, Joel & Li, Wenying & Sawadgo, Wendiam & Rabinowitz, Adam, 2022. "Cross-Hedging in the Classroom: Engaging Students in Developing Scholarly Extension Output," Applied Economics Teaching Resources (AETR), Agricultural and Applied Economics Association, vol. 4(2), July.
    6. Wang, Haidong & Cheng, Minghui & Liao, Zhenqi & Guo, Jinjin & Zhang, Fucang & Fan, Junliang & Feng, Hao & Yang, Qiliang & Wu, Lifeng & Wang, Xiukang, 2023. "Performance evaluation of AquaCrop and DSSAT-SUBSTOR-Potato models in simulating potato growth, yield and water productivity under various drip fertigation regimes," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 276(C).
    7. Koffi Djaman & Suat Irmak & Komlan Koudahe & Samuel Allen, 2021. "Irrigation Management in Potato ( Solanum tuberosum L.) Production: A Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(3), pages 1-19, February.
    8. Nesterenko Sergey & Vyatkin Konstantin, 2017. "The study of land management and geographic information support of municipal building in Ukraine," Technology audit and production reserves, 1(33) 2017, Socionet;Technology audit and production reserves, vol. 1(4(33)), pages 24-28.
    9. Čermák, Michal & Ligocká, Marie, . "Could Exist a Causality Between the Most Traded Commodities and Futures Commodity Prices in the Agricultural Market?," AGRIS on-line Papers in Economics and Informatics, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Faculty of Economics and Management, vol. 14(4).
    10. T. Fowe & I. Nouiri & B. Ibrahim & H. Karambiri & J. Paturel, 2015. "OPTIWAM: An Intelligent Tool for Optimizing Irrigation Water Management in Coupled Reservoir–Groundwater Systems," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 29(10), pages 3841-3861, August.
    11. Paul Rachkara & David Paul Phillips & Stephen Wamala Kalule & Richard William Gibson, 2017. "Innovative and beneficial informal sweetpotato seed private enterprise in northern Uganda," Food Security: The Science, Sociology and Economics of Food Production and Access to Food, Springer;The International Society for Plant Pathology, vol. 9(3), pages 595-610, June.
    12. Islam, AFM Tariqul & Islam, AKM Saiful & Islam, GM Tarekul & Bala, Sujit Kumar & Salehin, Mashfiqus & Choudhury, Apurba Kanti & Dey, Nepal C. & Hossain, Akbar, 2022. "Adaptation strategies to increase water productivity of wheat under changing climate," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 264(C).
    13. Lenne, J.M. & Wood, D., 2004. "Is there a 'logic of fodder legumes' in Africa?," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 29(5), pages 565-585, October.
    14. Sumberg, J., 2004. "The logic of fodder legumes in Africa: a response to Lenne and Wood," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 29(5), pages 587-591, October.
    15. Igbadun, Henry E. & Tarimo, Andrew K.P.R. & Salim, Baanda A. & Mahoo, Henry F., 2007. "Evaluation of selected crop water production functions for an irrigated maize crop," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 94(1-3), pages 1-10, December.
    16. Ghahroodi, E. Mokari & Noory, H. & Liaghat, A.M., 2015. "Performance evaluation study and hydrologic and productive analysis of irrigation systems at the Qazvin irrigation network (Iran)," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 148(C), pages 189-195.
    17. repec:plo:pone00:0218599 is not listed on IDEAS
    18. Feng Huang & Baoguo Li, 2020. "What is the Redline Water Withdrawal for Crop Production in China?—Projection to 2030 Derived from the Past Twenty-Year Trajectory," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(10), pages 1-14, May.
    19. Hanjra, Munir A. & Qureshi, M. Ejaz, 2010. "Global water crisis and future food security in an era of climate change," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 35(5), pages 365-377, October.
    20. Trevor W. Crosby & Yi Wang, 2021. "Effects of Different Irrigation Management Practices on Potato ( Solanum tuberosum L.)," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(18), pages 1-19, September.
    21. Zegar Józef Stanisław, 2023. "Transformation of Family Farming in the Second Decade of the 21st Century," Zagadnienia Ekonomiki Rolnej / Problems of Agricultural Economics, Paradigm, vol. 374(1), pages 1-19.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:9:y:2017:i:1:p:60-:d:86730. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager The email address of this maintainer does not seem to be valid anymore. Please ask MDPI Indexing Manager to update the entry or send us the correct address (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.