Improvement of minor pulses and their role in alleviating malnutrition

Abstract

Pulse crops constitute a significant source of protein for the resource-poor population of Asia, Africa and Mediterranean regions of the world. However, these crops are usually grown in marginal lands with low inputs and therefore their production and productivity remains very low. Per capita availability of pulses in India is lower than the recommended quantity. Therefore, it is imperative to increase production, productivity and availability of pulses to meet the nutritional requirement of a large section of human population. The minor pulses namely mothbean and horsegram, which are grown in limited area in dry and hot conditions of semi-arid regions of tropics in South Asia, Africa and Mediterranean regions also plays a great role in supplementing the diet of the resource poor farmers and consumers. Ricebean is another important minor pulse crop which is cultivated in humid sub-tropical to warm to cool climate under range of soil types also contribute hugely towards pulse production. The present paper provides information with respect to area of cultivation, productivity of the minor pulses and their importance as a source of nutritional ingredients to human and livestock populations.