The nutritional potential of grain legumes: an economic perspective

Publication date: 12/03/2018
Extent: 16 pages

Contributions by: Alan de Brauw, International Food Policy Research Institute, USA

Chapter synopsis: Present-day food systems leave a substantial share of the world’s population malnourished. Though rates of undernutrition have been falling, many people continue to suffer from micronutrient malnutrition and rates of overnutrition are rapidly increasing. This chapter argues that the increased role of pulses in the diet could help alleviate the latter two forms of malnutrition. First, it discusses the evidence in the nutrition literature on the role pulses can potentially play in increasing dietary iron, particularly among vulnerable groups. It then discusses economic reasons behind inadequate pulse production, and constraints, which act as barriers to increased production, faced by smallholders. Finally, the chapter discusses the types of consumer interventions that could also lead to increased pulse demand and an increased role in the diet.

DOI: 10.19103/AS.2017.0023.16