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.