Kidney Bean-A High Value Cash Crop for nutritional and livelihood security

Abstract

Rajmash/Rajma is a major high value cash crop in NW Himalayan
hills. It is economically, nutritionally and socially an important crop in high mountains of this region in traditional production system in hills. Presently, farmers grow landraces of this food legume for their own consumption and a little surplus only reaches to the
markets. Here a vast potential exist for this food legume for its
commercial cultivation as this premium quality Rajmash/Rajma
landraces are highly adapted to the local microclimatic conditions of the limited geographical area and well appreciated for their unique taste and fetch 2-3 times higher market prices than those produced in plains as well as possess the advantage of pure
organic farming. Besides, conservation and documentation of
these landraces is also a great concern. Commercial cultivation by
using improved high yielding varieties with recommended package
of practices will ultimately uplift the livelihood of the local Rajmash/Rajma growers of hills.