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Section I

From Canada to Nepal:

Faba Beans

Faba Bean Basics

A faba bean is a type of broad bean that is also referred to as a fava bean, legume, or pulse crop. There are two main types of faba beans; tannin, and zero tannin. Those that contain tannin can be consumed only by humans, while those without tannin can be consumed by humans, and or livestock (Pearson, 2015). Tannin is a polyphenol compound distributed widely throughout the plant kingdom, and has recently been deemed more toxic versus anti-nutritional (Barbehenn & Constabel, 2011). When livestock consume to much of this compound it results in decreased protein utilization; this can lead to malnutrition even though the animal is being fed what it needs to remain healthy (Barbehenn & Constabel, 2011). The physical difference between these two types can be seen in flower color. Figure One shows a tannin faba bean that has black spots, while Figure Two shows zero tannin beans portraying no black spots.

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When it comes to nutrients faba beans are a primary source of protein, starch, and fiber (Pearson, 2015). Table One pasted below shows a comparison between faba beans, soybeans, and peas. By observing this table, it is evident that the faba bean is a better source of these three key nutrients. This becomes an important factor when comparing faba beans to the other crops that Nepal might currently be growing. Considering that faba beans can be consumed by both human and livestock, the nutrients in these beans can be beneficial to the Nepalese people and their livestock, serving an overall dual purpose in the community. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Faba beans can be planted in dry or wet soils, they have one of the best nitrogen fixation abilities so they do not require a lot of fertilizer (Pearson, 2015). The ideal pH these beans thrive in is between 7.0 and 9.0, however they can tolerate any soil with a pH above 5.0 (Robinson & Raynes, 2010). A primary temperature for the best yield is between 15° and 20° C, however they can continue to grow well in any temperature ranging from -3° and 27° C (Robinson & Raynes, 2010). For the best results it is recommended to plant either in May or June, and harvest when the seed pods turn a dark brown, or black color (Robinson & Raynes, 2010). Harvesting in big quantities is best done with front head harvesters, however if machinery is not available the beans can also be harvested by hand (Robinson & Raynes, 2010).

 

By combining all of these features a faba bean is a simple crop that can be grown over long periods of time, in wide growing conditions, and is relatively easy to harvest. It has multiple nutrients that the Nepalese people and their livestock can benefit from, and when compared to other legumes or popular beans, the faba bean comes out on top in almost every nutritional component.

Figure One: Tannin Faba Beans               http://seedsinthecity.com/category/bees/

Table One: Nutrient Comparison (Person, 2015)

The Canadian Company: Saskatchewan Pulse Growers

The Canadian company that would be involved in this export plan is known as Saskatchewan Pulse Growers. Their main office is located in Saskatoon Saskatchewan, and are primarily a development board composed of 7 main pulse growers that is targeted towards nourishing the world with profitable pulse production (SASKPULSE, 2016b).They are partnered with a number of provincial pulse growers, Natural Science and Engineering Research Councils, Ministry of Agriculture, industry members, three levels of government, and select universities (SASKPULSE, 2016b).

 

There companies strategic plan incorporates 4 main steps. Step one involves working towards an increase in yields and maximizing field potential to boost overall profit (SASKPULSE, 2016b). Step two consists of impacting the demand of pulses internationally so that new markets can be developed each year. The third step is to explore all varieties and approach newer pulse crops (faba beans) to result in a broader industry that is able to match supply to everyone’s demand. The final step involves reaching out to other countries that would benefit from additional markets in the pulse industry, and being able to provide transportation and resolve a number of specific trade barriers that might arise (SASKPULSE, 2016b).

 

Their main production as a province focuses on peas, lentils, chickpeas, soybeans, and faba beans (SASKPULSE, 2016a). If Saskatchewan Pulse Growers got involved with a new market in Nepal, specifically for faba beans, they would be able to enforce their strategic plan and grow their company, gaining benefits for themselves and Canada in the process.

Figure Three: Company Logo (SASKPULSE, 2016)

Inputs & Equipment Required

Once farmers in Nepal get a hold of the faba beans, planting them becomes fairly easy. If they are dealing with a large field of production, any form of equipment that can bury the seed a few inches into the soil will work. If they are planting them in a personal backyard garden setting, planting the seeds by hand with very little labor will also work. Faba beans do not require perfect soil conditions, they do however require access to a decent supply of irrigation (Pearson, 2015). Since faba beans have one of the best nitrogen fixation abilities it is imperative that soils do not have high nitrogen levels. Anything over 55 kg N/ha will inhibit the plants ability to fix nitrogen (SASKPULSE, 2016a). This is a key benefit when it comes to planting faba beans, because they do not require large amount of fertilizer making it easier for the Nepalese farmers to produce them with limited inputs available. Table Two shows a list of a number of different seed varieties that are available for planting that have been tested in Alberta to record long term success in yield production. The snowbird seed is most commonly used and produces the highest amount of yield. It is also a zero-tannin seed which is ideal for use in Nepal so that their production can be used for livestock feed as well

Table Two: List/comparison of different seed varieties

Benefits to Canada

The current unemployment rate in Canada is 7.0%, and increased 0.2% in October 2016 (STATCAN, 2016). On a provincial level 1 of 3 jobs in Saskatchewan alone depends on exports from the agriculture industry (SASKPULSE, 2016b). If Canada were to export faba beans to Nepal it would create a new international market, generate more jobs in the exporting province, and manage to aid in decreasing the unemployment level in Canada on a small scale. Being able to produce a crop, harvest it, process it, and transport it involves a large list of jobs including growing experts, people on each farm to produce and harvest, processors, people in multiple stages of transportation including oversea shipment, transit by train, and trucks for on land deliveries. Justin Redekop personally communicated on November 22, 2016 that Asia is a huge pulse importer to Canada and by adding faba beans to that list it will help increase the diversity of raw materials shared on an international level.

 

By growing the faba beans in Canada it will help increase the percent of land used for crop production primarily in Saskatchewan. Table Three shows a comparison of the major provinces involved in crop production with the amount of land available, the number of farms, and how much of it is currently being used. Saskatchewan is only using 80% of their crop suitable land. This means there is room for more production and more profit. Table Four shows a comparison of total farm cash receipts for each pulse crop grown in Canada. Compared to 1980 each pulse has done extremely well in generating more profit each year. If Canada increased its exports of faba beans it would add to the total profit received by Canada and bring in more money for the country as a whole, resulting in an all-round positive investment.

Table Three: Provincial comparison of farm land (Bekkering, 2014)

Table Four: Total farm cash receipts for different pulses (Bekkering, 2014)

References: Section I

Barbehenn, R. V., & Constabel, P. C. (2011). Tannins in plant-herbivore interactions. Phytochemistry, 72(13), 1551–1565.

 

Bekkering, E. (2014). Canadian agriculture at a glance pulses in Canada. Statistics Canada, (7), 1–10.

 

Pearson, C. (2015). Alberta agriculture and foresty. Uses of faba bean. Retrieved from http://www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$department/deptdocs.nsf/all/sis15415

 

Robinson, B., & Raynes, M. (2010). Agriculture Victoria. Growing faba bean. Retrieved from http://agriculture.vic.gov.au/agriculture/grains-and-other-crops/crop-production/growing-faba-bean

 

SASKPULSE. (2016a). Saskatchewan Pulse Growers. Growing pulse crops. Retrieved from http://saskpulse.com/growing/

 

SASKPULSE. (2016b). Saskatchewan Pulse Growers. About. Retrieved from http://saskpulse.com/about/

 

STATCAN. (2016). Labour Force Survey, October 2016. Statistics Canada (Vol. 1). Retrieved from http://www.statcan.gc.ca/daily-quotidien/161104/dq161104a-eng.pdf

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