This paper reviews programs and projects that are elements of the strategy to boost crop production in general and grain legumes in particular in Nigeria. The objective is to bring to fore the neglect of grain legumes...This paper reviews programs and projects that are elements of the strategy to boost crop production in general and grain legumes in particular in Nigeria. The objective is to bring to fore the neglect of grain legumes production in such strategies and for improved understanding of the need to implement grain legumes specific programs for enhanced food security in the country. The paper reiterates that grain legumes were neglected in most of the strategies for increased crop production which presented enormous challenges and reflects largely the inbalance in the policies for the attainment of food self-sufficiency and food security in the country The paper gives an overview of the programs and projects, and reviews the output of grain legumes during the period (1970-2007). It submits that the activities of some research institutes and the presidential initiative on vegetable oil development program had positive impact on the output of legumes which is an added impetus for the need to establish grain legumes specific research institutes and programs for further productivity increases. Constraints identified by the paper include: poverty, storage systems, among others. It itemizes prospects and current challenges for grain legume crop sub-sector in Nigeria.展开更多
文摘This paper reviews programs and projects that are elements of the strategy to boost crop production in general and grain legumes in particular in Nigeria. The objective is to bring to fore the neglect of grain legumes production in such strategies and for improved understanding of the need to implement grain legumes specific programs for enhanced food security in the country. The paper reiterates that grain legumes were neglected in most of the strategies for increased crop production which presented enormous challenges and reflects largely the inbalance in the policies for the attainment of food self-sufficiency and food security in the country The paper gives an overview of the programs and projects, and reviews the output of grain legumes during the period (1970-2007). It submits that the activities of some research institutes and the presidential initiative on vegetable oil development program had positive impact on the output of legumes which is an added impetus for the need to establish grain legumes specific research institutes and programs for further productivity increases. Constraints identified by the paper include: poverty, storage systems, among others. It itemizes prospects and current challenges for grain legume crop sub-sector in Nigeria.