Promoting regional trade in pulses in the Horn of Africa

This note (PDF) by ECDPM in collaboration with FAO discusses the opportunities and challenges to develop regional pulses value chain in the region, drawing from literature review and interviews with key stakeholders. Pulses are crucial in nutritious diets. They provide cheap proteins and micronutrients. Because they are low-fat and fibre-rich they contribute to combating obesity. An increased demand for processed food based on pulses offers opportunities of employment and entrepreneurship for women and youth, while the demand for pulses and residues as animal feed is alsogrowing due to changing diets.Prospects of global and regional trade in pulses are good. India is still the largest producer and importer of pulses in the world, but also in (the Horn of) Africa trade flows are growing. Despite all these opportunities, pulses production and yields in Africa and the Horn remain lagging behind potential. There is also a lack of reliable information on the actual and potential of regional trade. Public and private investments have long favoured cereal crops over pulses. This Note highlights the main challenges faced by stakeholders along the value chain. Effective public-private dialogue at a regional level could contribute to addressing those constraints, by sharing best practices and coordinating activities around a regional strategy. The challenges in designing a coherent package of policies and investments to boost intra-regional trade discussed in this note will also be useful for other value chains.