Fostering sustainable links through innovation, production and market in legume value chains in Portugal.
The Importance of Legumes
Legumes are an essential source of plant-based protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals, making them vital for both human health and a resilient food system.
Health & Nutrition Benefits
Nutrient-Rich Health Benefits: A source of plant-based protein, rich in vitamins and minerals, supporting heart health and helping to manage blood sugar.
Environmental Impact
Sustainable Environmental Impact: Legumes naturally enrich the soil with nitrogen, improving soil structure and water retention, and reducing the need for synthetic fertilizers.
The Challenge: A Growing Dependency
Portugal’s food security is at risk due to its high reliance on imported legumes. Currently, 85% of the legumes consumed in Portugal are imported.
The AgriLink Value Chain: A Four-Step Process
This is how AgriLink partners support each stage of the value chain, offering inspiration for other European countries to follow and adapt:
1. Cultivating Knowledge
The Confederação dos Agricultores de Portugal (CAP) develops an e-learning course to enhance farmers’ expertise in sustainable legume production and launches a survey to identify key barriers and opportunities in the sector.
2. Growing Legumes
CERPRO, a producers’ organization, cultivates 51 hectares of legumes in Almeirim (Portugal) through sustainable intercropping practices that enhance soil health and promote profitability of sustainable legume production to farmers.
3. Innovating with Legumes
The Universidade Catolica Portuguesa (UCP) spearheads product innovation by developing a legume-based prototype and conducting a comprehensive life cycle assessment (LCA) and nutritional analysis.
4. Connecting Markets and Decision-Makers
ProVeg Portugal develops commercial strategies and plans and connects farmers with industry stakeholders to strengthen the food value chain. It also prepares and distributes evidence-based recommendation documents targeted at decision-makers.
Contact us!
Matchmaking: Are you a legume/pulse buyer? Or a legume/pulse producer in Portugal? Contact info.pt@proveg.org so we can do the ideal matchmaking to boost the supply and demand of legumes in Portugal.
Regenerative and/or organic legume production consultancy: We have specialized consultants who support farmers in Portugal who do not yet grow legumes but would like to start. Contact info.pt@proveg.org.