Grain legumes increase the resilience of cropping systems and farm businesses through diversification and enhance environmental and socio-economic sustainability by (a) reducing fertilizer and pesticide use, greenhouse gas emissions, soil degradation and biodiversity loss, (b) increasing protein self-sufficiency, and (c) contributing to sustainable diets.
To reap these benefits, LegumeGap addresses the current underutilization of legumes in European cropping systems. The project will make clear recommendations for enhancing the sustainability and resilience of farming systems by identifying the potential of new cultivars, optimal management practices and farmer knowledge. The long-term objectives of these recommendations are to close the current yield and protein gaps, reduce yield variability and the EU-level protein shortfall, and increase resource-use efficiency. LegumeGap focuses on soya bean for warm climates and faba bean for cool climates because of their high seed protein content and their broad adaptability and usefulness. LegumeGap covers the main European agro-climatic regions and the pan-European level.
A systems approach captures the complexity of production systems in interaction with climate by considering environmental, socio-economic and agronomic opportunities and constraints from field to EU levels. Strong reciprocal stakeholder involvement will reveal innovative solutions effectively disseminated for the optimal exploitation of results.
Project webpage: https://legumegap.environmentalgeography.nl/
Contact information: Dr Nynke Schulp and Dr Franziska Komossa