REPORT FROM ASIA AND THE PACIFIC REGIONAL DIALOGUE ON

THE INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF PULSES 2016

Bayarsukh Noov, Director of Institute of Plant and Agricultural Science, Mongolia

• Asia and the Pacific Regional Dialogue - 24 - 25 October 2016, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

• Title: “Pulses: Solution to human health and sustainable cropping system”

• Fifty participants from 14 countries including Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, China, India, Iran, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Philippines, Republic of Korea, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam

• FAO officials, including government representatives, farmers’ organizations and international organizations

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Executive Summary

Objective: – understand/document “state-of-the-art”

on pulses in the Region in terms of opportunities and challenges, including the existing policy environment;

– to agree on common priorities for the advocacy and promotion of pulses in the region;

– to identify knowledge gaps and research needs. 3

Executive Summary

• Opportunities: – Pulse production can potentially improve

food security and soil fertility– Raising awareness and encouraging

pulse consumption in farming systems can improve profitability

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Regional opportunities and challenges of the pulses sector

• Challenges:– The current focus on pulse research, development and

extension is weak– The production of pulses is constrained by both biotic and

abiotic stresses– Pulses have underpinned the development of genetics– Inadequate availability of quality seed for farmers and at

the right time– No links between national and international efforts in

pulse research– Human capacity for pulse research, development and

extension is weak and fragmented 5

Regional opportunities and challenges of the pulses sector

• Challenges:– A yield gap exists– Existing consumption of pulses is low– Pulse production is often neglected by States, despite

their multiple benefits– Limited research on market development and policy on

pulse adoption– Poor mechanization of pulse farms– Access to new varieties and technologies is restricted

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Regional opportunities and challenges of the pulses sector

• A coordinated and well-funded genetics and breeding program

• The translation of research findings to farmer’s fields and bridging the yield gap

• The need for enhanced national and international collaborations including germplasm exchange

• The use of pulses in an integrated farming system including animals

• Policy development and market/trade research for enhanced pulse production and consumption

• The development of climate-smart varieties• Public and private partnerships in pulse production and

value-adding. 7

Needs in Pulse Sector in the Region

• Regional Dialogue created networking and information exchange opportunities among pulse experts in the region

• The regional countries will incorporate pulses into cropping systems.

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Conclusions

• Increase education and public awareness on pulses in food and nutrition:

• Encourage the procurement of pulses• Conduct research• Allocate funds to research programs • Establish accredited institutions to monitor,

forecast and communicate market signals • Development of a pulse value chain• Minimize yield gaps

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Recommendations

• Raise awareness on the role of pulses in the ecosystem and cropping system

• Take advantage of existing opportunities • Incentivize producers • Insurance against crop failures• Conduct socioeconomic and policy assessments in the

pulse sector • Develop quality assurance mechanisms for pulse

products • Revise and/or simplify phytosanitary requirements for

the export and import of pulses10

Recommendations

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Thank you

Contact us Pulses-2016@fao.org