Farmers invited to join multi-million legumES Project to unlock benefits of legumes
7th January 2025
British farmers have been invited to take part in trials to measure legume-related benefits following easy-to-use monitoring methods.
The project, led by scientists from the James Hutton Institute, aims to provide evidence for the ecosystem benefits of legume crops, such as peas, beans, clover, and monitor their impact.
The legumES research project seeks to address key challenges in modern agriculture by focusing on the environmental, economic and social benefits of legume crops.
It promotes legume cultivation as a solution to reduce dependence on synthetic nitrogen fertilisers, lower greenhouse gas emissions, improve soil health and create more diverse and resilient cropped systems.
Additionally, the project aims to enhance biodiversity, contribute to sustainable food systems, and strengthen rural communities by providing alternative economic opportunities through legume-based agriculture.
The research spans many European regions, ensuring that diverse ecological and agricultural contexts are studied.
The four-year project was awarded 6.2 million euros from the European Commission and the governments of Switzerland and the United Kingdom.
Legumes benefits to be explored
The scientists explained that the project will deliver practical, scalable solutions which contribute to agricultural sustainability, and inform supportive policy and governance options across Europe.
Professor Pete Iannetta, of the James Hutton Institute, is coordinating the project through his joint appointment as a senior research fellow at the University Catolica Portuguesa in Porto,Portugal.
Professor Iannetta said: “The legumES project looks beyond how legume crops such as peas, beans or clover may be included in crop rotations.
“It also examines how legume crops might mitigate the impacts that are already being experienced from climate change and biodiversity loss – including crop biodiversity loss – and their effects on nutritional security.
Dr Alison Karley, who is leading the farm trials initiative, added: “LegumES aims to quantify the environmental and socio-economic benefits of legumes from data gathered on-farm.
“We hope that working with farmers to run trials will provide much-needed evidence of these benefits and help identify options for promoting the growing and consumption of legume products. The findings will hopefully inform policy and practice solutions”.
The project is being carried out by a multidisciplinary consortium of 22 partners from 12 EU countries, plus Switzerland and the UK, comprising research and technology organisations; micro, small and medium-sized enterprises; large companies and non-governmental organisations.
Farmers can register their interest by emailing legumES@hutton.ac.uk. Financial support and trial guidance will be provided. More details of the project can be found here.
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