The edited book entitled “Grain Legumes towards Sustainable Agrifood Systems” delves into the multifaceted roles that grain legumes play in shaping sustainable agrifood systems. This book brings together diverse perspectives from experts in the fields of agronomy, crop science, food technology, and policy-making to highlight the potential of grain legumes in achieving global food security and sustainability goals. Through a comprehensive exploration of topics such as genetic improvement, crop management, soil health, pest and disease management, value addition, and market development, it provides a holistic understanding of the current status, challenges, and future prospects of grain legumes in the context of sustainable agriculture.

The chapters in this book reflect the interdisciplinary nature of the subject, drawing on expertise from plant biology, agronomy, environmental science, nutrition, economics, and social sciences. Together, they provide a comprehensive overview of the potential of grain legumes to contribute to a sustainable future, highlighting both opportunities and challenges in realizing this potential. It covers a wide range of topics, from the genetic improvement of legumes for enhanced yield and stress resistance to innovative agronomic practices, value addition, and policy interventions that can promote the cultivation and consumption of these important crops.

This book will serve as a valuable resource for researchers, agricultural practitioners, policymakers, students, and anyone interested in advancing sustainable food systems.

Lalita Rana: has been working as an Assistant Professor-cum-Scientist since 2019 in the Department of Agronomy, Sugarcane Research Institute, Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa, Bihar. She completed her B.Sc. (Ag.) from Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, M.Sc. (Ag.) and Ph. D in Agronomy degrees from BCKVV, Mohanpur, West Bengal. With over 6 years of experience in teaching, extension and research, Dr. Rana has guided 5 students as major advisor, 8 students as co-advisor. She has published 30 research papers in national and international journals, 30 popular articles in farmer friendly magazines, 10 book chapters, 2 authored books, 2 edited books, and 5 folders. She has received Young Women Scientist award, Best Ph.D. Thesis award for her contributions to teaching and research in the field.

Navnit Kumar: has been working as an Associate Professor-cum-Sr. Scientist since 2007 in the Department of Agronomy at the Sugarcane Research Institute, Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa, Bihar. He completed his B.Sc. (Ag.), M.Sc. (Ag.) and Ph. D degrees from RAU, Pusa, Bihar. With over 19 years of experience in extension, teaching and research, Dr. Kumar has guided 9 students as major advisor, 15 students as co-advisor. He has published 77 research papers in national and international journals, 81 popular articles in farmer friendly magazines, 35 book chapters, 7 authored books, 8 edited books, and 13 folders. He has received various awards for his contributions to teaching and research in the field.

Sumit Sow: has completed Ph.D. in Agronomy with an ICAR-SRF from Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa, Bihar. He has completed graduation from Visva-Bharati, West Bengal and M.Sc. in Agronomy with an ICAR-JRF Scholarship from Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour, Bihar. He has qualified ICAR-NET and UGC-NET. He has authored two textbooks and eight edited books. Additionally, he has published 22 research articles, 8 review articles, 35 popular articles, and 35 book chapters. He has received prestigious awards such as Best Poster, Best Article and Best M.Sc. Thesis Award.

Shivani Ranjan: has completed Ph.D. in Agonomy from Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa, Bihar. She has completed B.Sc. (Ag.) from Dr. RPCAU, Pusa, Bihar and M.Sc. in Agronomy from BAU, Sabour, Bihar. She has qualified ICAR-NET, UGC-NET and is a recipient of NFOBC fellowship. She is one of the authors of the book “Extract of Agronomy” and the editor of eight books. She has published 20 research articles, 9 review articles, 34 popular articles and 30 book chapters. She has also received various awards like Best Article and Best M.Sc. Thesis award.

Ritwik Sahoo is currently pursuing Ph.D. in Plant Pathology from Uttar Banga Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Cooch Behar, West Bengal with DST INSPIRE Fellowship. He has completed graduation from UBKV, West Bengal and M.Sc. in Plant Pathology with ICAR-NTS Scholarship from Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour, Bihar and was University Gold Medallist in M.Sc. He has qualified ICAR ASRB-NET. He has published 2 research articles, 4 popular articles, 1 review article and 7 book chapters. He has received prestigious awards such as Best Poster and Best M.Sc. Thesis Award.

Adyant Kumar: is working as Assistant Professor-cum-Junior Scientist in Department of Agronomy, Dr. Kalam Agricultural College, (Bihar Agricultural University), Kishanganj, Bihar. He had completed his Doctorate and Master degree in Agriculture with specialization in Agronomy from BCKV, West Bengal and RAU, Pusa (Bihar), respectively. He is the recipient of Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed Award for Outstanding Research in Tribal Farming Systems, 2021 given by ICAR under MoA&FW, GoI. He is also awarded with various awards & accolades viz. Best Oral Presentation, Best Thesis, Young Scientist and Young Achiever award as well as Valued Reviewer from Springer Nature etc. He performed as the Co-PI in the project “Study of Millets production and consumption pattern in last 20 years in Jharkhand” sanctioned by DRDM Tribal Welfare Research Institute, Ranchi. He has guided six M.Sc. students during his teaching period. He had written about 30 Research articles, 05 Review articles, 02 Book, 01 Souvenir, 10 Book chapters and 15 Popular articles in English and regional language for the academician, researcher, students and farming communities.

1. Grain Legumes as Climate Resilient Crops. Challenges and Prospects- Namitha Krishna                                

2. Grain Legumes for Nutritional Security and Health Benefits- Sudipta Sarker, Hirak Banerjee and Debjani Kundu

3. Biological Nitrogen Fixation Mechanism in Grain Legumes. An Overview - Manish Kumar, Shweta Kumari, Vandana Kumari, Rina Roy and Sweeti Kumari

4. Carbon and Nitrogen Assimilation in Grain Legumes - R. Sowmiya and K. Kiruthika

5. Climate Resilience, Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies of Grain Legumes- Lakshman, Jayshree, Suwa Lal Yadav and Anu Nawhal

6. Efficient Water Use and Productivity of Grain Legume Cropping Systems. Recent Advances and Technological Interventions - Sweeti Kumari, Mukesh Kumar Sinha, Rina Roy and Shweta Kumari

7. Nutrient Cycling and Extraction Pattern in Soil under Grain Legume Cultivation - K. Kiruthika and R. Sowmiya

8. Application of Remote Sensing and Image Analysis in Plant Protection for Grain Legume Based Cropping System - Jaya Sinha and Lalita Rana

9. Weed Management in Grain Legumes - B.V Asewar, S.U Pawar, Apeksha Thombre and Santosh Thombre

10. Role of Grain Legumes to Achieve Food and Nutritional Security– Rina Roy, Manish Kumar, Sweeti Kumari, Shweta Kumari and Devendra Mandal

11. Biotic Stress Mitigation Strategies in Grain Legumes – Debasish Rout, Manisha Rout and Pritam Ghosh

12. Genetic Diversity, Conservation and Improvement of Grain Legumes – Kumari Rashmi, Sanjay Sahay, Ravi S. Singh, Anushree, Adyant Kumar, Mahesh Kumar and Vikash Kumar

13.  Reducing Carbon Footprints. Role of Legumes in Low Emission Farming Systems- Inayat M. Khan, Aneesha Manzoor, Asma Shakeel and Andleeba Jan

14. Weed Seed Bank. Impacts and Management Strategies for Grain Legumes Production - Pooja A P and Arunjith P

15. Supplementing Diet through Grain Legumes to Achieve Food Security - Bhagyashri Nandkumar Solanke

16. Global Perspective of Grain Legume Production, Trade and Policy Imperatives – Dhruvendra Singh Sachan, M. Z. Siddiqui and Shivendra Singh

17. Advance Molecular Approaches and Biotechnological Tools for Management of Pest and Diseases of Grain Legume Based Cropping System – Lalbiakzuali