THE contribution of members of the pulse industry has been recognised at an event in Perth to mark the 2016 International Year of Pulses (IYP).
Members of the Australian pulse industry including Pulse Australia chairman Peter Wilson and chief executive officer Nick Goddard, Grains and Legume Nutrition Council general manager Michelle Broom and pulse growers and purchasers gathered for the cocktail event hosted by Grain Industry Association of WA (GIWA).
Coorow grower Rod Birch said IYP began as a submission to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation three years ago to raise awareness and promote the international pulse industry and the contribution pulses made to nutrition and sustainability.
The evening formed part of activities throughout the year held across the world and in Australia to celebrate pulses.
"As well as celebrate the contribution, we are here to celebrate the history of pulses in WA, which goes back 30-40 years," Mr Birch said.
"Pulses have given a lot of us growers a substantial contribution into our farming systems.
"Everyone in the industry, whether it is growers, breeders or processors, has played a role and added value to the industry."
Mr Wilson, who is the AGT Foods Australia chief executive officer, said IYP had been an excellent vehicle to promote pulses globally.
He said the industry was fundamentally contributing to the enhancement of farmer's bottom lines.
"Right from the get go, 2016 IYP was about pulses being complementary to other foods and not demonising another food group - it was how lentils might be on a plate with chicken or lamb or how you might use pulses in food ingredients," Mr Wilson said
"It was the right strategy and crucial to its success."
He said in recent years there had been an "explosion" in the size of pulse crops globally as well as in Australia.
This year, Pulse Australia has estimated that 1.93 million hectares has been planted with pulse crops.
In WA, 400,500ha have been planted, with sweet lupin varieties making up the bulk at 353,000ha, followed by 31,000 of field peas, 7500ha Albus lupins and 4700ha of faba beans.
"Every year we get concerned about growing bigger crops but every year we export it and it finds a home,'' he said.
"This growth has been because pulses are more profitable - people are making money growing pulses, whether it is pigeon peas in India, Desi chickpeas in Queensland, lupins in WA or lentils in Canada - the markets are there and they are rich and deep particularly for lentils and Desi chickpeas," Mr Wilson said.
He said the crops were increasing in terms of area sown and value but also increasing the amount earned on aech part of the farm.
"For example, to replace one tonne of Desi chickpeas produced on the Darling Downs today, you need to produce about 4 tonnes per hectare of wheat," he said.
"If you look at mung beans you need about 5.5t/ha of wheat.
"Even though there is a yield penalty we are getting the prices."
Mr Wilson pointed to Iran becoming a big importer of Australian pulses, with 30-50,000 tonnes of Australian chickpeas being exported in the past few weeks.
Domestic production for chickpeas in India had flattened while demand has increased, providing good opportunities for the Australian industry.
"There is significant, inelastic demand for Desi chickpeas in India and Australia produces the best in the world," he said.
"This is a longer term prospect but it is going to happen."
However, he pointed to challenges in the market such as supply chain integrity, geopolitical instability and government intervention.
Mr Wilson said the majority of Australian agricultural produce was exported to developing countries and of that, 45 per cent was exported into "Muslim countries" or countries with very large, Muslim-faith based populations.
"These markets are very important to us as agriculturalist and exporters and if we, as a country, are critical or choose not to deal with this group of people, we'll have to find a lot of more customers than we've actually got."
University of WA professor of agriculture Siddique Kadambot was also recognised for his contribution to the WA pulse industry.
Professor Kadambot said it was an exciting time for yh Australian pulse industry but additional resources and focus were needed to grow the industry in WA.
"The WA pulse industry has really not moved forward for various reasons and there is room for expansion," he said
"The varieties are there, the package is there and the market is there but we need to work with growers - that's where the real growth in the industry is going to be.
"I believe there could be a 250,000ha increase in chickpea, field pea, lentils and faba beans by simply putting a team of people together who can work with farmer groups to increase adoption."