• In this article, CIHEAM Zaragoza's Director Raúl Compés, Head of Training Ramzi Belkhodja, and Administrator of Plant Production, Health and Breeding Joaquín Balduque address the role of legumes and pulses in sustainable food systems, from current trends to research and innovation.
• The text highlights the latest trends in the cultivation and consumption of legumes in Mediterranean countries, their nutritional and environmental value, and CIHEAM Zaragoza's contribution to the European project BELIS.

Latest trends in the cultivation and consumption of pulses

Leguminous plants, and their dried seeds — pulses — have historically been an essential component of Mediterranean farming systems, generally associated with cereals across all regions of the world since the origins of agriculture. Chickpeas, lentils, broad beans and haricot beans have formed part of traditional rotations alongside cereals and other woody crops, contributing to productive balance and the sustainability of agro-ecosystems.

However, in recent decades a sustained trend towards a reduction in the area devoted to leguminous crops has been observed in numerous Mediterranean countries. Current national and international agricultural statistics, including those of the FAO, reflect a progressive shift towards crops perceived as more profitable in the short term, or towards more intensive production systems.

At the same time, a decline in per capita pulse consumption has been recorded in several countries, in contrast to their traditional role in the Mediterranean diet. In the diets of the ancient civilisations of the region, pulses were known as "the bread of the poor." This phenomenon is driven by multiple factors, including changes in dietary habits, transformations in agri-food systems, and broader socio-economic dynamics.

The reduction in leguminous crop cultivation carries not only productive implications, but also agronomic and environmental ones. The diminished presence of these species in crop rotations may negatively affect the diversification of agricultural systems, nutrient balance, and soil sustainability.

The importance of legumes and pulses in nutrition, health, and sustainability

Leguminous crops and pulses play a strategic role from nutritional, health-related, agronomic, and environmental perspectives.

In agronomic terms, leguminous crops provide significant benefits to production systems. Through biological nitrogen fixation, they contribute to improving soil fertility and reducing dependence on synthetic nitrogen fertilisers. Their integration into crop rotations supports improvements in soil structure, the diversification of agricultural systems, and the sustainability of production.

From an environmental perspective, leguminous crops align with sustainability objectives and climate change mitigation goals. The potential reduction in the use of synthetic fertilisers contributes to lowering emissions associated with their production and application, as well as the environmental impacts arising from their intensive use.

From a nutritional standpoint, pulses constitute a significant source of plant-based protein, dietary fibre, minerals, and bioactive compounds. International bodies such as the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) recognise their contribution to balanced and healthy diets. Their consumption is associated with benefits in the prevention of non-communicable diseases, including cardiovascular conditions, obesity, and diabetes.

In Mediterranean regions characterised by water scarcity and high climatic variability, leguminous crops may represent an agronomically viable alternative, contributing to the resilience of agricultural systems and the diversification of production.

Research and innovation for the promotion of leguminous crops at CIHEAM Zaragoza

The European Union is currently far from self-sufficiency in plant-based protein, resulting in a high degree of dependence on imports. This context, combined with the global need to feed a growing population with diminishing natural resources in many regions of the world, has reinforced the strategic interest in developing and adding value to alternative protein crops, including leguminous species.

Despite their agronomic and environmental advantages, leguminous crops have seen a decline in cultivation due to factors such as yield variability, genetic limitations, and historically limited investment in plant breeding.

Within this framework, CIHEAM Zaragoza participates in the European project BELIS (Breeding European Legumes for Increased Sustainability), funded under Horizon Europe, which aims to drive genetic progress in leguminous crops. The initiative seeks to strengthen the link between fundamental research, plant breeding, and the needs of the productive sector.

BELIS focuses on three main objectives: (a) optimising plant breeding strategies, (b) developing efficient selection tools, and (c) facilitating the transfer of innovation to farmers and the seed sector. The project contributes to narrowing the gap between research, variety registration, and uptake by producers, supporting the availability of better-adapted, more productive, and more resilient varieties.

World Pulses Day

The theme ‘Pulses of the world: from modesty to excellence’ was selected for the 2026 edition of the World Pulses Day celebrated on 10 February. It is an FAO initiative launched in 2016 with the aim of highlighting the fundamental role of these foods in a healthy, sustainable, and culturally rooted diet. There is no doubt that, in the current context of transition towards more sustainable food systems and the search for new protein sources, pulses represent a strategic component for both food security and environmental sustainability. Realising the full potential of these crops requires an integrated approach combining research and innovation, coherent agricultural policies, consumer awareness, and support for producers. In this framework, CIHEAM Zaragoza, through its project activities, training, and cooperation work, actively contributes to the promotion of more sustainable and resilient agricultural systems and healthier consumption patterns, in which leguminous crops and pulses play a significant role.