Introduction
Horsegram (Macrotyloma uniflorum) or “kulthi” as it is commonly known, is one of the lesser known beans (Bhardwaj & Yadav, 2014). It derives its English name due to its use as forage for horses and cattle in the Western world (Banham & Fuller, 2014). These small, somewhat kidney shaped legumes, which are beige to brownish red, are just as suitable for human consumption. The stems and leaves of the plant are frequently used as fodder, while the beans are eaten by people (Banham & Fuller, 2014). Horsegram is a variety of lentil of significant value to hillside Nepalese farmers, which holds the potential for export to Canada.
History & Geography
Pulses constitute some of the world’s most ancient cultivated crops and form a crucial element of human diets (Mazhar, Buckles, Satheesh, & Akhter, 2007). Horsegram is originally native to Africa and South Asian (Sudha, Begum, Shambulingappa, & Babu, n.d.). It is extensively cultivated in the dry areas of Australia, Sri Lanka, Burma, and India (Sudha et al.). Horsegram is a valuable crop for sloping lands that are poor in mineral content in either hot, moist areas, or semi-arid up to 1,500 meters (Banham & Fuller, 2014).
Cultivation & Harvesting
Horsegram is able to tolerate low soil fertility and salinity but not water logged soil, making it an important crop in the drier areas (Bhardwaj & Yadav, 2014). It does not demand much effort, and can be used as green mature to strengthen depleted soils (Bhardwaj & Yadav, 2014). It is often planted on fallow fields and is seen as an essential component of crop rotation (Banham & Fuller, 2014). The bean can be successfully intercropped with cereals. It also does well as an understory crop in orchards and plantations. Horsegram is a very drought-resistant crop mostly grown in regions with less than 900mm of annual rainfall, although it is capable of being grown with as little as 380mm. The plant requires temperatures of 20-30°C. It takes an estimated amount of 120-180 days for the plant to reach maturity (Banham & Fuller, 2014). Once the leaves shrivel and the pods turn light brown, the plants can be uprooted (Bhardwaj & Yadav, 2014). They are then dried in the field or under cover, and threshed to remove the pods. The yield from one acre ranges from 275-400kg of seed (Bhardwaj & Yadav, 2014).
Agronomic Issues
Immediately after sowing and irrigation, herbicides are sprayed (TNAU Agritech Portal, 2014). This must be done within three days of sowing, or it is possible to harm the crop. This application will control the early growing weeds. Later emerging weeds must be manually removed. In most parts of Nepal, the probability of stem fly contaminant is high. This pest affects the plant at the early growing stages causing drying and withering. It can however be controlled by two spraying of pesticides. During growth, other pests such as aphids, leaf hoppers, and whiteflies, can also damage the crops. Fortunately, they can also be constrained with pesticides. Horsegram can be affected by root rot, which has to be removed and the area drenched. The crop can also rarely be affected by cercospora which can be distinguished by the presence of brown spots. Powdery mildew is noticed with the presence of white powder on the leaves (TNAU Agritech Portal, 2014).
Environmental Issues
Across Nepal, farmers have recognized a shift of the monsoon season by one month in the last 20 years (Poudel, 2014). There has also been a decrease in frequency but an increase in intensity of rainfall, followed by shorter growing seasons. The mountainous areas undergo high amounts of natural disasters such as landslides, floods, extended periods of droughts, and even recently hailstorms (Poudel, 2014). Farming in such conditions is difficult, especially when relying on precipitation for agricultural practices. Horsegram being a pulse, is however a very resilient crop which does not require much rain (Banham & Fuller, 2014). It is very drought resistant and grows well on hillsides (Banham & Fuller, 2014). This benefits Nepalese hillside farmers which often times do not have proper irrigation systems.
Practical Solutions
One of the first method to initiate is harvesting rainwater. Horsegram itself does not require much water, but any additional water could be used for other crops, livestock, human use, or even saved for emergencies. A simple technique to do so is by collecting water as it comes down a sloped roof (Raizada, 2014). It can then be stored in containers, wells, or basins. The soil itself is just as import as the water. A conservation farming approach should be taken which relies on minimizing soil disturbance, reducing periods of bare soil, and rotating and intercropping (Raizada, 2014). These practical simple solutions can make large differences in yields.
Health and Nutritional Value
In all cases, horsegram seeds should be cooked before human or cattle consumption (Banham & Fuller, 2014). The bean is high in iron, a good source of protein, and contains an adequate amount of calcium (Sudha et al., n.d.). It has been found to be rich in polyphenols, and have elevated levels of antioxidants (Bhardwaj & Yadav, 2014). In Ayurvedic medicine, it is employed to treat asthma, cough, bronchitis, kidney stone, as well as urinary problems (Banham & Fuller, 2014). The pulse also has the capacity to control and decrease high blood sugar and insulin resistance. Dishes made with the whole beans (containing the seed coats) are better than those without which lack the anti-diabetic property (Banham & Fuller, 2014).
Social and Cultural Significance
Although horsegram is largely cultivated in Southern India, the people of Nepal are familiar with it and use it in many of their traditional dishes (Banham & Fuller, 2014). The reason for which the pulse is not already extensively intergraded in Nepalese agriculture, is simply due to the fact that there has been no need to do so with such a large exporter close-by. However with climate change worsening, its low input and resistant properties may become more valuable and demanded. If horsegram large-scale cultivation is successful in Nepal, it could lead to farmers enjoying better living conditions and a general improvement of life.
Economic Benefits to Nepal
By establishing an export of horsegram to Canada at a fair trade price, hillside Nepalese farmers would gain by having an increase in their income and the opportunity to enhance their way of life. Both Canada and Nepal have an similar population that is close to 30 million, however, the GNI per capita based on purchasing power parity for Canada is listed at 42,610 in 2013, and at 2,260 for Nepal in the same year (World Bank, 2014a, 2014b). This trade has the capability of improving this ratio, and helping farmers out of poverty.