As many of you know, I occasionally invite guest blog posts from agribusiness industry experts.  I like to do this to add a little variety to our topics and because let’s face it, agribusiness is a huge sector and no one can be an expert on every topic. I asked Erica Beck to give us a little perspective on a crop that you might not know much about.  She is the communications manager at the USA Dry Pea & Lentil Council. Here is what she had to say…

A Word from the Little Guys: Dry Peas, Lentils and Chickpeas

When the topic of agriculture comes up, most people think of corn, soybeans, wheat and the like. Most folks aren’t going to think of agriculture and immediately pipe up with dry peas, lentils and chickpeas. Such are the woes of being a minority crop, but those minority crops really have a lot to offer this world we live in. The national headquarters for this segment of the agricultural industry, the USA Dry Pea and Lentil Council (USADPLC), is dedicated to making these pulse crops become a household name.

The main focus of the USADPLC is quite simple: develop a market for dry peas, lentils and chickpeas in the U.S. as well as overseas and conduct research ranging from improved breeding to disease resistance to discovering better ways to produce these crops.

Perhaps one of the biggest hurdles is educating others about the benefits and uses of dry peas, lentils and chickpeas. Once people are in-the-know, pursuing new markets and generating research funds becomes one step easier.

One of the biggest advantages of pulse crops is the nutrients that are put back into the soil (nitrogen fixation) which helps prepare the ground for the next crop rotation. On the product end, eating dry peas, lentils and chickpeas and ingredients made from these sources has great nutritional and dietary benefits. Legumes are high in fiber and protein and have a low glycemic index. They have also been linked to the reduction of risks for cardiovascular disease and diabetes. In a society where health and nutrition are a very hot topic, these crops give a lot of answers to rising diet concerns.

Even with this little bit of background knowledge of the dry pea, lentil and chickpea industry, the immediate issue we’re facing is an issue everyone across the board can understand and relate to: the unsettled economy. Because of the shaky economy, the supply and demand has been skewed sharply and the recent rise of the U.S. dollar has been a big challenge for countries dealing in different currencies. Sellers don’t know where the prices are going to head; buyers can’t get the credit to make purchases. This is by no means an isolated concern for the pulse industry. Everyone is facing the same issue and wondering how it is all going to play out.

While things have slowed down from the processing end of the business, it really is an exciting time for the dry pea, lentil and chickpea industry. The future holds a lot of interesting possibilities, and it will definitely be worth it to keep an eye on the direction pulse crops take!

For more information about dry peas, lentils and chickpeas, please check out the USADPLC’s website at www.pea-lentil.com.