Growing chickpeas, beans, peas and lentils

In this article, we look at the climatic requirements for the optimal growth of pulses in South Africa.

- Janine Ryan

Pulses are a category of leguminous crops that belong to the family Fabaceae. These nutritious and versatile plants are characterised by their dry, edible seeds, which are typically enclosed in pods. Pulses are a crucial component of global agriculture and nutrition due to their high protein and fibre content, as well as their contribution to soil fertility through nitrogen fixation.

Pulses play a significant role in human diets, particularly in vegetarian and vegan diets, and are essential for food security and sustainable agriculture.

India is currently the world’s largest producer of pulses, as well as the world’s biggest consumer.

COMMON TYPES OF PULSES 

Several pulse crops are cultivated worldwide, with each having unique characteristics and culinary uses. Some of the most commonly grown pulses include:

Chickpeas (Cicer arietinum)

Chickpeas are known for their nutty flavour and are used in various dishes, such as hummus and curries. They come in different varieties, including desi (smaller and more angular) and kabuli (larger and rounder) chickpeas. India is the single largest producer of chickpea in the world, accounting for 65% of global production. Australia is the second leading country in the world, with a 14% share. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations says that chickpeas are grown on 13 million hectares across 56 countries in the world, which produce an annual 12,4 million tons of the commodity.