Legumes and groundnut production in the Global South

This book offers a comprehensive analysis of the trends, variability, and implications of legume production in the Global South, focusing specifically on groundnut yields and the regional differences observed from 2000 to 2022. The study explores the rapid growth of global legume production, driven by rising demand for plant-based proteins and improved agricultural practices, particularly in Brazil and Argentina. While legume production saw a 20-30% increase, groundnut production grew more modestly, with a 10-15% rise, influenced by favorable environmental conditions and expanding cultivation in regions like Argentina and South Africa. The book examines a wide range of legume crops, including common beans, cowpeas, pigeon peas, chickpeas, soybeans, and more. It presents regional insights, revealing how Sub-Saharan Africa relies on cowpeas and groundnuts, South Asia focuses on chickpeas and pigeon peas, and Latin America emphasizes soybean and groundnut farming. The study also highlights significant differences in production levels, with Egypt leading groundnut yields at 3,279 kg ha-1, while Mozambique exhibits the lowest yields at 322.9 kg ha-1.