Lentil
(Lens culinaris Medik.)
Description:
Lentils,
which researchers have traced back to 8000-7000 BC, originated
in the Near East. From there the crop spread to South Asia,
Northeast Africa, and Eastern Europe, and North America.
The major
lentil producing regions are Asia (58 percent of the area)
and the West Asia-North Africa region (37 percent of the acreage
of developing countries). Lentil is the most important pulse
in Bangladesh and Nepal, where it significantly contributes
to the diet. Farmers also grow lentils in India, Iran, and
Turkey. Other significant producers in the developing world
include Argentina, China, Ethiopia, Morocco, Pakistan and
Syria. Production is expanding due to the rising demand of
an increasing population.
Statistics:
Global
lentil production in 2005 was over 4 million metric tons. Asia represents 55% of the world production. The area harvested to lentils in 2005 stood as follows:
Africa: 156,540 hectares
Asia: 2,709,725 hectares
Europe: 55,478 heectares
World: 4,113,394 hectares.
How
is Lentil Used?
People
throughout the world eat lentils in a range of dishes. In
addition, the high-quality straw of the lentil forms an integral
part of the feed supply to small ruminants in the Middle East
and North Africa.
Nutritional Information:
Lentils
are 25 percent protein—second only to soybeans as a source
of usable protein. An excellent source of vitamin A, lentils
also provide fiber, potassium, B vitamins, and iron. Unlike
meat, poultry, fish and eggs, this protein source contains
no cholesterol and virtually no fat. However, lentils must
be teamed with a grain, such as rice, pasta, or barley, to
complete and enhance their protein availability to the body.
Center’s
Work on Lentils:
The International
Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas
(ICARDA) has a mandate to improve this crop. ICARDA has developed
high-yielding varieties with greater total biomass yield,
drought tolerance, and resistance to disease. Since 1980, ICARDA has released 64 varieties of lentils. The incorporation
of resistance to pod shattering, lodging resistance, and greater
plant height has increased the yield potential of the cropand
made mechanized harvesting easier. Through collaboration with
national programs, researchers generated large production
increases in Turkey and South Asia.
Sources:
FAOSTAT. PRODSTAT.
ICARDA web site. |