Legumes and Diversification of the Rice-Wheat Cropping System

Summary Grain, forage and green manure legumes have a long heritage in South Asia. This paper attempts to summarize the merits of legumes from historical, cultural, human nutrition, animal nutrition and agronomic perspectives. Despite well established and numerous benefits associated with legumes in South Asia, their production are static or declining in the region. Niches for including legumes within the rice-wheat cropping system are described. Constraints have been identified, and promising options for higher productivity suggested.