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.