New EU project to reintroduce legumes in European fields

Beans, peas and lentils, collectively known as legumes, offer humans and animals a rich source of protein. But in spite of their many benefits, their cultivation in Europe has been constantly decreasing over the last 40 years. We are importing around 70% of our requirements in protein-rich products used for feeds, and this will have an increasing geopolitical importance as world protein prices continue to soar. The LEGATO ('LEGumes for the Agriculture of Tomorrow') project, which will kick off in early March, aims to address this issue by improving the competitiveness of European legumes and increase the sustainable reintroduction of grain legumes in our cropping systems.

Further information: cordis.europa.eu