Apart from local nutritional value, pulses are key to sustainable agriculture.
The Ministry of Farming and Natural Resources said leguminous crops play important role for the socio- economic development in most parts of Africa.
In Ethiopia legumes are major source of dietary and livelihood next to cereals, being source of protein, cash income and soil restorer that grants sustainability.
Pulses are also very important contributor to export, it added.
The Third Decadal National Conference on Food and Forage Legumes in Ethiopia, marking the International Year of Pulses (IYP) was held on the premises of Ethiopian Institutes of Agricultural Research (EIAR) yesterday.
Opening the conference themed: ‘Legumes for Health Food, Feed, Income and Sustainable Agriculture in the Face of Rapidly Changing Climate,’ State Ministe Dr. Kaba Urgessa said: “The Ethiopian ‘Shiro’ is unimaginable without the pulses as main ingredient. They have also high commercial values both in local and export markets.”
Dr. Kaba added: “With shared goals of advancing science and technology and promoting research for development, the ministry is highly committed to instill science-driven technology.”
Institute Deputy Director General Dr. Adugna Wakjira for his part said EIAR encourages research, extension teams, farmers and partners to replicate past successes and achieve more in the future.
It is making increased efforts joining hands with stakeholders for better achievement, he added.
He further said that EIAR has been working hard for the last ten years on pluses research. It has released various species and helped increase production and productivity. It has introduced various farming technologies, production systems, new and innovative experiences.
UN Food and Agriculture Organization Ethiopia Representative Allahoury Amadou Diallo said IYP 2016, with the slogan ‘Nutritious Seeds for Sustainable Future’ was aimed to raise awareness about the crucial roles that pulses have in sustainable food production and healthy diets and above all, for their contribution to sustainable agriculture , food security and nutrition.
FAO Ethiopia has been working with the government and institutions to improve pulses production for over three decades and would continue supporting projects focusing on food security and research, he said.
[allafrica.com]