Early generation seed production of grain legumes (faba bean, chickpea and lentil)

Abstract

About 357.151 ha of early generation seed of different seed classes were planted and 794.693 t of seed was produced in 2015/16 crop season. In Ethiopia breeder, pre-basic and basic seed of faba bean and chickpea were multiplied by NARS (EIAR and RARIs) in 2015/165 crop season (Table 1). In total about 333.3 ha was planted and 722.23 t of different seed classes of faba bean and chickpea were produced by USAID projects. Some of the basic seed production was carried out with farmer seed producer’s cooperatives/groups under the supervision of NARS. In Iran breeder seed 1-3 were planted on 15.4 ha with anticipated seed production of 26.18 t of seed with NARS in Kurdistan, Marageh and Sararood agricultural research centers for further multiplication in the coming years

Under EU-IFAD project early generation seed multiplication was also carried out in Algeria, Egypt, Morocco, Sudan and Tunisia. A total of 46.183 t of different seed classes of faba bean , chickpea and lentil seed was produced primarily with NARS partners. However, in Morocco, all seed production activities failed because of the drought in 2016.