Legumes are increasingly acknowledged as key crops for sustainable agriculture due to their multiple ecosystem service (ES) benefits, including biological nitrogen fixation, carbon sequestration, soil health improvement, and biodiversity enhancement. These functions position legumes as strategic crops to address global challenges such as climate change, soil degradation, and food security.
Despite these benefits, legumes remain underutilized in many regions, including Pomurje, due to limited market integration, insufficient recognition of their multifunctionality, and a lack of robust assessment frameworks. This pilot study addresses these gaps by combining agronomic trials, market research, and stakeholder engagement to unlock the full value of legumes in sustainable food systems.
Specific objectives are:
- Identification of legumes, mainly pulses, with significant market potential, ecosystem benefits and strong agronomic performance.
- Assess key ecosystem services provided by legumes, such as nitrogen fixation, soil health improvement, carbon sequestration, and biodiversity support.
- Conduct field trials to measure yield, pest resistance, environmental adaptability, and overall performance of selected legumes.
- Evaluate consumer preference and market demand for legumes, mainly pulse varieties, including potential integration into SFSC.
- Gather input from diverse stakeholders, including farmers, farmer advisors, policymakers, researchers, and consumers, through surveys and workshops.
- Share trial outcomes and best practices with stakeholders to promote the adoption and scale-up of successful legume varieties, mainly pulse varieties.
- Develop evidence-based recommendations for supporting legumes.
- Enhanced stakeholder collaboration across the legume value chain.