Harnessing Chickpea Value Chain for Nutrition Security and Commercialization of Smallholder Agriculture in Africa

Abstract

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is known in various parts of the country by different names such as chana, gram, chhola and Bengal gram. It is the second most important pulse crop in the world, after dry beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). Chickpea provides 2-3 times more protein than many cereals, constituting major component of the poor peoples‘ diet of the arid and semi-arid regions of the world. Chickpea provide about 20-24% protein, 4-10% fat, 52-71% carbohydrate, 10-23% fiber and minerals and vitamins. Among essential amino acids lysine, methionine, threonine, valine, isolucine and leucine are major components of seed protein. Chickpea contains considerable amount of vitamins such as B1 and B2, ascorbic acid (vitamin C) and niacin also. Thus, chickpea plays an important role in human nutrition. Being a major source of several nutrients for the rainfed farmers, limited efforts have been made to improve nutritional quality traits of chickpea, as the farmers do not get price premium based on nutritional quality of chickpea. Opportunities exist for enhancing protein and micronutrient contents, and reducing flatulence-inducing oligosaccharides. Chickpea fixes atmospheric nitrogen (about 140 kg/ha) through bacteria (rhizobium) present in their roots, which in turn improves the soil fertility. Thus, the crops sown succeeding the chickpea are also benefited. Due to the tap root system, they open up soil and the extensive leaf drop increases the organic matter in the soil. This crop also has the inherent quality to mine the soil moisture from lower strata of the soil; therefore, they are considerably moisture-stress tolerant. In spite of the variable uses of chickpea in human diet and its importance in maintaining the soil health, the increment in production could not maintain the pace with population growth, which has been increased at much higher rate. Even though the chickpea has been considered a drought tolerant crop, the existing genetic yield potential of chickpea is constrained both by biotic and abiotic stresses. Further, the traditional bushy genotypes are not suitable for mechanical harvesting. Efforts are been made to develop erect, mid-tall plant types bearing effective fruiting branches at a height suitable for machine harvest. The international trade of chickpea has also increased over time and currently more than 140 countries import chickpea. On an average, 10% of the total chickpea produced enters the international market. Though kabuli type chickpea commands higher price than the desi type, about 80% of the total production and international trade of chickpea is for the desi type. India is the largest producer and consumer of chickpea and also the largest importer till 2013. However, India was a major exporter of chickpea in recent years and its export exceeded import in 2007, 2010 and 2011. The global trends of chickpea area, production and seed yields over the past 5 decades showed a promising improvement (Fig 1). Area of cultivation was varied between 10-12 million hectares, however the average area in the past five years (2008-12) was the highest (12 m ha). Production was very low during 1963-67 (6.25m tons) and gradual increment was observed over the years, and in 2008-2012 chickpea production recorded 10.7 m tons. Similarly, average seed yields of chickpea were very low (552 kg per ha) during 1960s, and over the 50 years, 60% yield improvement was observed.