Every year on February 10th, the world celebrates World Pulses Day, a United Nations designated global event aimed at raising awareness about the significance of pulses in enhancing global food systems, addressing food insecurity, and contributing to sustainable food systems and healthy diets.
Pulses are edible seeds of leguminous plants; the second most important food to man after cereals. They are cultivated for both food and fodder and serve as a critical source of protein, fibre, vitamins and other essential nutrients. The theme for the 2024 World Pulses Day is “Nourishing soils and people” which sheds light on the crops’ role in environmental sustainability and nutrition.
Pulses especially cowpeas are deeply ingrained in Nigerian food culture. What’s a Nigerian family’s food timetable without beans and bread or beans and yam on it? Nigeria, with almost 4 million tonnes of annual beans production, is the world’s largest producer of dried cowpea (beans) and is responsible for ~50% of global production. The crop already plays a vital role in Nigeria’s food security, providing consumers with a protein source that’s often cheaper than meat and dairy products.
Contrary to what some Facebook posts want you to believe, beans are an important source of plant-based protein. In fact, beans are a nutrient powerhouse, rich in protein, fibre, vitamins, and minerals. Their consumption is associated with various health benefits, including cholesterol reduction, blood sugar control, and management of non-communicable diseases like diabetes and heart conditions.
While the Nigerian government and farmers have focused on cereals like rice and maize in recent times, crops like beans can offer the country significant value if only more attention is paid to them. For instance, beans are a resilient crop that can be cultivated across diverse climates and soil types, offering a reliable source of nutrition and income for small-holder farmers.
Beans production promotes biodiversity and sustainable agricultural practices. We all remember “intercropping” and its benefits from our junior secondary school’s agricultural classes. Crops like beans are integral components of intercropping systems, improving soil fertility, pest management, and overall agricultural productivity. Pulses generally are renowned for their ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen through symbiotic relationships with nitrogen-fixing bacteria, thereby reducing reliance on synthetic fertilisers.
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Furthermore, there exists a lucrative export market, particularly to cater to Nigerians in the diaspora who have a strong affinity for Nigerian cuisines. Nigeria’s diaspora population continues to grow fast and demand for Nigerian foods abroad can only go up. But if Nigerian farmers don’t position themselves to meet this demand, other countries might step up. Outside of the Nigerian diaspora market, the global beans market is valued at over $7 billion, a huge market Nigeria is currently not tapping into.
With the growing trend towards plant-based diets and the rise of vegetarian population worldwide, beans serve as an excellent source of plant protein, making them an ideal choice for meeting the dietary preferences of this demographic. As awareness of the health and environmental benefits of plant-based diets continues to increase, Nigerian entrepreneurs can take advantage by producing, packaging and selling beans-based products to a global market.
Despite its leading position, Nigeria faces challenges in maximising the value derived from cowpea cultivation, including fluctuations in production, pest infestations, and market uncertainties. Inadequate access to improved varieties, production practices, and market infrastructure further exacerbates these challenges, impeding both productivity and profitability. Like many other crops, Nigeria achieves a very low yield per hectare, with the best estimate putting its yield at 2 tonnes per hectare (compared to 5 to 6 tonnes per hectare in India.)
Postharvest loss is a complex problem affecting cowpea production in Nigeria–to a larger extent, Africa. Significant losses ranging from 20% to 50% have been documented during storage of cowpea, primarily attributed to infestation by the cowpea weevil. In certain instances, the extent of loss has been absolute, constituting a complete depletion of the stored cowpea, resulting in a 100% loss and negatively affecting the farmers’ livelihoods.
Most of the harvested grains are stored in the traditional storage structures, which are inadequate to avoid insect infestations and mould growth during storage, leading to a high amount of losses. Pest infestations were also a major reason Nigerian beans were banned from the European Union market in 2015 as farmers were using pesticides to protect their produce from weevils and other pests during storage. Recently, a retailer of Nigerian beans in the UK had to recall a batch of its bean product due to the same reason. The problem persists, it seems.
To overcome these challenges and extract more value from cowpea cultivation, concerted efforts are needed across various fronts. Research and development initiatives focused on breeding improved varieties resistant to pests and diseases, tolerant to drought, and adaptable to diverse environmental conditions are essential. Enhancing access to quality seeds, adopting climate-smart agricultural practices, and strengthening market linkages can bolster productivity and market competitiveness.
The federal and state governments have a crucial role to play in supporting beans production for local and export markets. There must be an increase in investment in research and extension services, while providing incentives for adoption of improved technologies, and facilitating access to finance and market infrastructure. Regulatory agencies must ensure compliance with international quality and safety standards to facilitate and protect exports and market access. Local consumers must also be protected from unwholesome beans.
Undoubtedly, cowpea –and pulses– in general, have enormous potentials of improving nutritional security in Nigeria and other places in Africa and beyond. By harnessing the nutritional and environmental benefits of pulses and implementing targeted interventions to overcome production challenges, Nigeria can unlock greater value from this crop.
