Food legumes are emerging as a key solution for sustainably intensifying rice fallows in rainfed lowland agroecology. Across South Asia, over 22 million hectares of fallow land present an opportunity to enhance food security, soil health, and farmer livelihoods by integrating legumes into existing cropping systems. Their natural ability to fix nitrogen improves soil fertility, reduces greenhouse gas emissions, and supports smallholder resilience. Recent innovations, including short-duration, high-yielding varieties and improved seed systems, are helping farmers adopt legumes as a viable alternative for diversification.

Despite progress, challenges remain in scaling up adoption and tailoring innovations to specific agroecological contexts. Success hinges on strengthening market linkages, extension services, and value addition strategies to make legume-based systems more accessible and profitable. By addressing these barriers, legumes can play a transformative role in South Asia’s rice-based agriculture, contributing to both environmental sustainability and rural economic development.

This book explores the scope and impact of legume intensification in rice fallows, emphasizing the need for continued investment in research, policy support, and farmer engagement. Unlocking the full potential of food legumes requires coordinated efforts across value chains, ensuring that smallholders benefit from this sustainable and climate-smart approach.