http://www.fao.org/pulses-2016/en/ International year of Pulses 2016 - Global Dialogue - Group work on research

1. Pulse research
Global Dialogue 2016

2. Agronomic
o Research on integrated crop management options
including the application of new irrigation systems, early
warning for disease, improving efficiency of inputs and
optimization of nitrogen fixation
o Research on integrated pest management, conservation
management practices
• Risk management assessment
• Transferring generational knowledge on pulses
• Crop simulation models with new technology
• Resource funding
• Farmer involvement in research

3. Genetic improvement
• Research investment (National and International research)
needs to be enhanced. Research programes on pulses:
infrastructure, human capacity genomic resources,
bioinformatics and other modern tools and advanced
methods , and applied research and development on
productivity stabilization, mechanization, harvest and post-
harvest technology, food composition, consumer behavior
and its determinants.
• Research for development of improved varieties, amenable to
machine harvest, resistant to key diseases, weeds, and insect
pests, that have labour saving and market traits, climate
resilient and enhancing nutritional quality attributes (protein,
minerals, vitamins).

4. Genetic improvement cont.
• Cooking quality; time & loss of nutrients when cooked
• Breeding improved traits with traditional, marked-assisted or transgenetic
enhancement
• Conservation of land races and wild seed
• Maintain germplasm in international seed bank such as CGIAR and
maintain national seed banks with attention to local seeds
• Plant maturity, number of days needed to reach full yield potential
• Plant architecture – i.e. tall plants with pods that don’t touch the ground
for ease in mechanical harvesting
• Breeding to obtain dual purpose seeds, food and feed
• Resource funding
• Farmer profitability
• Farmer involvement in research

5. Food System
 Develop quality assurance mechanisms to improve the marketability of pulse
products along with appropriate procedures for handling pulse products until they
reach end consumers.
 Fragmented value chain
 Low investments
 Technological support and knowledge transfer
 Consumer research for flavor & taste
 Milling and other processes for using pulses as ingredients
 Developing new products
 Nutrients & health
 Storage & post-harvest
 Decertification recovery from splitting process
 Food safety
 Resource funding

6. Social and economic factors
• Empowerment of women
• Technology transfer
• Market prices
• Policy incentives
• Conservation of local seed varieties
• Maintaining value of local foods made with pulses
• Mechanization – child exploitation
• Farmer interaction; gender expectations
• Extension

7. Social and economic factors
• Empowerment of women
• Technology transfer
• Market prices
• Policy incentives
• Conservation of local seed varieties
• Maintaining value of local foods made with pulses
• Mechanization – child exploitation
• Farmer interaction; gender expectations
• Extension