Pulses of global significance as protein source

Pulses, also known as legumes, are valuable sources of protein. Their beneficial characteristics and healthy properties, compared to meat, lead to the expectation that pulses should have a more important role in agricultural cultivation than they actually have.

Currently pulses are often underestimated, although they are essential to agriculture and the global food security. To emphasized the importance of peas, beans, clover and their relatives the United Nations (UN) declared 2016 the International Year of Pulses.

Organic agriculture, where the natural fertility of the soil is essential, recognizes the value of pulses. Alfalfa, clover and other legumes enrich the soil with nitrogen and contribute to the continued quality of the soil. “Without these positive properties of the legumes successful organic agriculture would not be possible. We use the ability of legumes to fixate nitrogen to keep the soil fertile. While conventional agriculture uses synthetic fertilizer, organic farmers use the natural way with pulses. That is why BIO AUSTRIA recommends that 20% of the main crop rotation should be formed by legumes,” states Gertraud Grabmann chair of BIO AUSTRIA.

Overall an increased pulse production is desirable in Austria. In the first place to improve the soil structure and the humus content. And in the second place the self-sufficiency rate increases, the growth of homegrown protein products lead to a decreased import of those crops, which would have a positive effect on the climate.

Gertraud Grabmann still sees sufficient potential for organic farms to grow more pulses. “With education and consulting services, we want to help our BIO AUSTRIA members to develop this potential.” However, to develop food sovereignty not only an increase of the pulses production in Austria, but worldwide would be desirable. In Southern countries pulses are a main source of protein, proteins from milk are five times more expensive. Pulses get better prices than grain (for smaller amounts) and can contribute to a higher income for small farmers. In addition a varied crop rotation has a positive influence on the fertility of the soil, decreases pests and plant diseases, and protects against the loss of soil due to erosion, this all leads to a reduced use of expensive pesticides and fertilizers. And in combination with a reduced export of animal feed this would be a major contribution to food security.

“Given the current global challenges such as climate change and a decrease of fertile soil a change to organic agriculture is essential. The cultivation of pulses is an important step in the right direction and measures that contribute to the promotion of this cultivation should be supported. And not just during the International Year of Pulses but also when the year finishes,” states the BIO AUSTRIA chair Gertraud Grabmann.

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