Food Legumes Research And Production In Nepal

Food Legumes Research and Production in Nepal1 N.K.YADAV2, A. SARKER3, R. DARAI 2 and B.N. ADHIKARI2 NEPAL AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH COUNCIL, NEPAL2 ICARDA, SYRIA3

Introduction • • • • • •

Agriculture is predominant in Nepal; where 66% of populations depend on Agriculture for their livelihood and shares 38.81% GDP (MOAC, 2004) Grain legumes usually called pulses in Nepal Grain Legumes covers(316010 ha )about 10% total cultivated land (3091000ha)and ranked 4th in terms of area and production after Rice, Maize and Wheat National average productivity is 840 kg/ha (MOAC, 2004) Lentil, chickpea and grass pea in winter and black gram ,pigeon pea, soybean, horse gram, mung bean and cowpea in summer are major legumes in Nepal Lentil is the single legume export to overseas

Trend of area and production of major cereals and food legumes • •

Rice, maize and wheat are major cereals and are cultivated in 1559436 ha, 834285 ha, 664589 ha with production 4455722 mt, 1590097 mt, and 1387191 mt, respectively Food legumes are cultivated in 316010 ha with production 265360 mt and productivity 840 kg/ha 1000 800 600 400 200 0 1994/95 1995/96 1996/97 1997/98 1998/99 1999/00 2000/01 2001/02 2002/03 2003/04

Area

Production

Productivity

Poster presented in 4th IFLRC, held on 18-22 october, 2005,New Delhi, India • Over the past one decade(1993/94-2003-04) the area under pulses cultivation has been increased by 2.74%, while production increased by 31.32% and the productivity gained by 28.24% over the same period. • In winter legumes Lentil accounts 60%, chickpea covered 3% and grass pea covered 2% of the total area and production in the country. • In summer legumes black gram accounts 10% , while pigeon pea and soybean each covered 7% and horse gram covered 2% of area and production of total legumes in the country. • Other important grain legumes include cowpea, broad bean, rice bean, mung bean and phaseolus bean etc those accounts for 9% area and production. • Terai contributes 76%, hill 20% and mountain 4% of the total legumes area in Nepal, (MOAC, 2004).

Hgram 2%

Soy 7%

M ountain

Others 9%

4%

Grpea 2% Lentil 60%

Bgram 10% Ppea 7%

Cpea 3%

Area and production % of legumes

•

Hills 20%

Terai 76%

Distribution of legumes area

Distribution of the legumes under development region revealed that highest area (34%) and production (37%) remained in central development region followed by mid western (21 & 21%), eastern (19 & 19%), western (15 & 13%) and far western (11 & 10%) in area and production respectively

Legumes area and production pattern according to developmental regions of Nepal

Area

Production

Present status of production and demand of cereals and legumes During 2001/02 as compare to 2000/01 productions of cereals and legumes has increased by 1.42 and 2.94 % while demand increases in that period by 1.81 % and

5.24% respectively.

5000 4500 4000 3500 3000 2500 2000 1500 1000 500 0 1992-93

1993-94

Cereals Production

1994-95

1995-96

1996-97

Cereals Demand

1997-98

1998-99

1999-00

Pulses Production

2000-01

2001-02

Pulses Demand

Production and demands situation of cereals and legumes in Nepal (scale: Cereals production and demand 000' mt and legumes production and demand 00' mt)

•

With the rise in income levels and change in consumption pattern, the domestic demand of food legumes would have risen up to 329 & 450 thousand metric tons by the year 2010 and 2020 respectively. Based on the demands projection of food legumes in Nepal, needs to increase the area by 0.4%, production by 4.7% and productivity by 4.2% annually.

Export and Import of pulses •

•

Nepal has exported pulses to India and overseas worth of 8.21 and 4.20 million US $, respectively during 2003/04, while at the same period Nepal has imported pulses of 8.55 and 3.84 millions US $ from India and overseas respectively. Thus the export import differences in terms of monitory value is 0.03 million dollars (i.e. 2.1 million Rs).

Lentil is the single commodity exported to overseas.

Legumes based cropping system Cropping system in terai and inner terai a. Lowland Rice/Lentil-Fallow Rice/Lentil + Mustard Rice /Lentil-Maize Rice /Lathyrus-Maize Rice-Rice-Chickpea Rice-Rice-Lentil or Lathyrus + Linseed Rice-Wheat or Mustard-Mungbean Rice + Pigeonpea(On bunds)-fallow b.Upland Maize-Lentil + Mustard Maize-Chickpea + Mustard Maize-Chickpea + Barley or Wheat Maize + cowpeas- Mustard or Wheat Maize + Soybean- Mustard or Wheat Pigeonpea – Fallow Maize + Pigeonpea-Fallow Cropping system in the hills and valleys a) Lowland Rice +Soy bean (on bunds)-Wheat Rice +Black gram (on bunds)-Wheat or Barley Rice +Rice bean (on bunds)-Wheat b) Upland Maize+Soybean-Mustard or Wheat Maize +Cowpea-Mustard or Wheat Maize +Beans-Mustard or Barley Maize/Blackgram-Mustard or Wheat

Soybean bund planting

Soybean mixed cropping in maize field

Prospective of legumes in Nepalese Agriculture •

• •

• •

Cereal-legumes multiple cropping patterns is adopting traditionally, is a distinguished feature of Neplease agriculture especially in bariland farming. There is huge area to extend this practice to enhance sustainable production. Integration of legumes in the existing cropping system has the only way to increase the cropping intensity and restore the soil fertility. About o.5 million hectare such fallow areas can be occupied by the inclusion of short duration crops like mungbean, cowpea that helps to recover the soil fertility, ensure the better income for farmers' livelihood & long run soil sustainability. The quantum jump in production is only possible when the crops intensification and diversification increased tremendously in the system His Majesty Govt. of Nepal has being implemented crop diversification projects through the department of agriculture in mid and far western part of Nepal so as to break the cereal monocropping.

Present situation of legumes production, research and development in Nepal •

Research efforts in the past have resulted in the recommendation of 28 varieties of grain legumes: 8 in lentil, 6 in chickpea, 7 in soybean, 3 in cowpea and 2 in pigeonpea and one each in mungbean and black gram. Along with the varieties, suitable package of practices for the cultivation of these crops have been recommended.

•

There is big gap among research results (3 t/ha ), yield obtained at the farmers’ field under well managed condition(1.5 t/ha,and national productivity 0.84mt/ha.and that is due to of the pooradoption of recommended varieties , technologies and number of biotic, abiotic ,socioeconomic, and technological constraints.

•

Research efforts in recent years have been focused on participatory evaluation and generation of location specific varieties/technologies through participatory approach.

Lentil • •

• •

Leading pulse crop of Nepal. Its cropped area is increased from 119490 ha to 187380 ha (1990/91 to 2003/04). The productivity has also increased from 611 kg/ha to 847 kg/ha during that period. The importance of lentil in Nepal is also increasing due to export market to Bangladesh and other foreign countries and also due to the ban on the trade of grasspea since 1991/92 in Nepal (Yadav et. al. 1998). Lentil crop is usually grown as a relay crop or sequential crop in rice based cropping pattern. It is also grown as an inter-crop and mixed crop with wheat or mustard. Eight varieties have been recommended for general cultivation. NGLRP is paying more attention to introduce breeding materials for the development of high yielding, medium and bold seeded cultivars. Crossing program is initiated to achieve this objective.

Chickpea •

• •

Fifth important legume in terms of both area (9560 ha) and production (8114 Mt). Its national average yield is 849 kg/ha. Chickpea is one of the potential crops that could be successfully grown in rice fallow in Nepal with yield levels of 1.5-2 t/ha Main problems of chickpea growing are wilt complex, Botrytis gray mould and pod borer infestation. The cross lines ICCX 840508-36 (Dhanush x K 850) is very promising and proceeds for the variety releasing by the name of Tara

Grasspea • •

Third winter crops in area and production .It occupies 2% area and production of total pulses. It is mainly used as human food as well as cattle feed though its trade is banned by the government due to the presence of

presumed neurotoxin ODAP [3-(N-Oxalyl)-L-2, 3-di amino propionic acid] that causes neurological disorder called lathyrism

Pigeonpea • It is one of the important summer legume crops of Nepal. Its area

is 22459 ha and production is 19468 mt in Nepal. It is being grown as sole and/ or mixed crop with maize and sesame in upland farming condition. In the central and eastern zone, planting on rice field bund is the most common practice. • Major biotic constraints are wilt and sterility mosaic disease (SMD) and pod borer and pod fly insects. • The genotypes Pusa-9, Lalbandi Local, Bahar and Pusa-14 have been identified for post rainy pigeon pea after maize or early rice • The genotype ICP7035 is one of the promising lines that is resistant to wilt and sterility mosaic diseases and can grow successfully both in summer and Rabi seasons for grains as well vegetables •

Black gram • •

It has 2nd position in area (32152 ha) and production (25501) with the productivity (793 kg /ha) and is the major pulse of hilly peoples of Nepal. Only one variety, Kalu has been released and is out dated variety. There is an urgent need to identify and release suitable high yielding varieties of black gram. At present, selection and testing from local landraces is conducting at Rampur.

Mungbean • • •

Grown mainly in a rice-wheat-mungbean cropping pattern in irrigated or partially irrigated area of terai, inner terai and foothill of the valley. Pusa Baisakhi is the only recommended variety for general cultivation in irrigated areas of terai. In collaboration AVRDC and FORWARD, NGLRP has identified the genotypes NM-94 and VC6372 (45-8-1) resistant/ tolerant to MYMV, more or less synchronous maturity with higher yield levels than Pusa Baisakhi and proposed to the National seed board for release.

Cowpea •

It is one of the important summer grain legumes of Nepal and is grown in marginal land with little or no inputs .It is being grown from Terai to mid hills for various purposes such as vegetable, dal and green manuring.

• • •

It is estimated that it occupies 8000 ha and produces 5660 Mt with the productivity of 700 kg/ha. The area and its production are increasing trend Cowpea is planted as sole crop as well as inter/ mixed crop with maize. Three varieties Aakash, Prakash and Surya were released for commercial cultivation.

Groundnut • •

•

•

The most important income generating summer oil seed legume crops of Nepal. It is used both for oil and confectionary purposes. Area under groundnut is estimated to be 15000 ha and the trend is increasing due to the development of high yielding varieties, adoption of improved technologies and spreading it's cultivation in new areas of western hills. Six groundnut varieties namely B-4, Janak, Jyoti, Jayanti, Rajarshi and Baidehi were officially released for commercial cultivation in Nepal. Varieties Rajarshi and Baidehi have been recently released ( in 2005 July) for cultivation. National oil seed research program(NORP) and ICRISAT is jointly working for identifying the suitable genotypes for spring planting and explore the potential of inter or mixed cropping with cereals especially with maize.

Table: 1 List of legumes varieties released so far in Nepal. SN

Varieties

Year of Release

Origin

Yield Potential (mt/ha)

Days to maturity

Recommendation Domain

Terai & mid hills Terai of mid and far western developmental region Terai of mid and far western developmental region Terai, Inner terai, mid hills Terai, Inner terai, mid hills Terai, Inner terai, mid hills Terai, mid-hills Terai, mid-hills

LENTIL 1 2

Sital Khajura Masuro-2

2004 1999

ICARDA Nepal

1.18 2.1

133 134

3

Khajura Masuro-1

1999

Nepal

1.5

128

4

Shikhar

1990

PAK

3.5

143

5

Simal

1990

India

4.1

143

6

Sisir

1979

India

2.0

150

7 8

Simrik Sindur

1979 1979

India Nepal

1.5 1.5

143 148

Chickpea 1 2

Kalika Koseli

1990 1990

India India

1.4 1.6

152 154

Terai, Inner terai Terai, western & Inner terai Terai Terai Terai Terai

3 4 5 6

Sita Radha Trishul Dhanush

1987 1987 1979 1979

India India Nepal Nepal

1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8

140 142 144 144

1996 1990 1990 1987 1978 1978

Nepal USA Taiwan USA USA USA

1.7 2.5 1.2 1.0 1.7 2.4

142 123 150 145 166 124

Mid Hill (400-1600 m) Terai, Inner terai Mid Hill, Valley Mid Hill, Valley Hill Terai, Inner Terai Valley ,Mid hills Terai, inner terai (Dhanusha, Sarlahi CDR) & Banke of mid western region Terai, inner terai (CDR Makwanpur, Sarlahi)

Soybean 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Lumle-1 Cobb Seti Ransom Hill Hardee Tarkari bhatmas

PIGEONPEA 1

Bageshwari

1992

Nepal

2.0

261

2

Rampur Arahar1

1992

India

1.5

197

1989

India

1.2

79

Mid hills, valley

2004 1990 1990

Nigeria Nigeria Nigeria

1.4 0.8 1.0

65-96 60 73

Terai, inner terai Terai, inner terai Terai, inner terai

Blackgram 1.

Kalu

Cowpea 1 2 3

Surya Prakash Aakash

Mungbean 1.

Pusa Baisakhi

1975

India

1.5

60

Terai

Constraints to production A. Biotic • • • • • • • • • •

Yellow mosaic virus (YMV) in soybean, mungbean, blackgram, cowpea, phaseolus bean Pod borer in chickpea, pigeonpea, soybean Powdery mildew in mungbean, blackgram, pigeonpea, lathyrus ODAP in Lathyrus Leaf spot in soybean, mungbean Wilt / root rot in lentil, chickpea and pigeonpea Pod blight in soybean, cowpea Hairy-caterpillars in soybean, mungbean, blackgram BGM in lentil, chickpea Stemphyllum blight in lentil

B. Abiotic constraint • •

Crops grown in poor marginal lands. Non-availability of quality seeds and inputs in time, place and quantity as needed. • Lack of awareness among farmers in improved technology in grain legumes. Many species of grain legumes.

C. Socio-economic constraints • • • •

Grain legumes receive secondary priority. Yield instability over years risky. High losses in storage. Production technologies for all the legumes have not still fully developed.

Research Strategy for Pulse Improvement National Grain Legumes Research Program (NGLRP) under Nepal Agricultural Research Council (NARC) has mandate to generate suitable technologies for increasing the production and productivity of major legumes crops grown in different agro-ecological zones of the country. To accomplish such mandate NGLRP has kept following short term and long term research strategies. • • • •

• • • • • • • • • • •

Immediate/short term Obtained segregating materials from IARCs, and evaluate, select and recommend lentil, chickpea, pigeonpea, cowpea and mungbean varieties. Collect, evaluate and select suitable varieties from local materials. Identify sources of resistance for major diseases & pests of major grain legume crops. Verify the on-station proven technology in farmer’s field through onfarm trials and recommend it. Long term Initiate breeding for resistance to major biotic constraints of important grain legumes. Collaborate with IARCs for collaborative breeding. Research on integrated pest and disease management for major insect pests and diseases Research on integrated nutrient management system through inclusion of legumes in the cropping pattern. Fine tuning the agronomic management practices for major food legumes and production systems. Research on post- harvest, handling, drying, threshing, storage and utilization of legume products. Initiate research on horse gram, field pea, phaseolus bean and rice bean. Develop appropriate low cost technology for higher yield. Seed production of different grain legumes. Collaborative research works on grain legumes with other research organizations in Nepal. Determine the economic/action threshold levels for sustainable soil management.

Conclusions

Food legumes plays crucial role in attaining the food & nutritional security and alleviating poverty by raising farm income. It also

improves the soil health, which ultimately secure the sustainable agriculture. Food legumes occupy 9% of the total cultivated lands of Nepal (MOAC, 2004). Still there are many challenges both biotic and abiotic constraints to increase production of pulses. Integration of legumes in the existing cropping system have the only way to increase the cropping intensity and restore the soil fertility. Crop intensification and diversification with legumes either as relay cropping in rice/ maize, intercropping or after cereal crops is identified as one of the strategy and opportunities to maximize the use of land and ensure the land productivity. His Majesty Govt. of Nepal has being implemented crop diversification projects through the department of agriculture in mid and far western part of Nepal so as to break the cereal monocropping and conserve the bio-diversity and maximize food availability. The quantum jump in export is only possible when the crops intensification and diversification increased tremendously in the system. Acknowledgements We would like to express our gratitude to Dr.M.C. Khadakbal. Secretary, 4th International Food legumes conference to give opportunities to participate and present this paper. Our gratitude is also to Mr. D.S. Pathik, Executive Director, Dr. S.L. Maskey, Director, Crops and Horticulture Research, NARC for providing the valuable suggestion and excellent support. Authors are grateful to CLIMA, Australia, ICARDA, Syria and ICRISAT,India for providing technical, financial support and breeding materials for successful implementation of this program. References •

MOAC, 2004. Statistical information on Nepalese Agriculture 2003/04.HMG, Ministry of Agriculture and Co-operative. Business promotion and agriculture statistics division, Kathmandu, Nepal.

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NGLRP, 2002. Annual report of NGLRP, F.Y .2001/02.

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Yadav, NK. 2003. Status of Grain Legumes Research and Production in Nepal Pp.102-114 Role of Legumes in Crop Diversification and Poverty Reduction in Asia. Proceedings of the joint CLAN steering Committee Meeting 10-12 November 2003 ICRISAT-Patancheru. (Edited by CLL Gowda and S Pande).