Nutritious and naturally soil-enriching, pulses are among the world’s most sustainable crops, offering a powerful solution for healthier diets, more resilient farming systems and improved food security.
From seed development and quality control to export logistics and international trade, building a competitive pulse sector requires every link in the value chain to work effectively. Earlier this month, pulse sector representatives from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan joined EBRD and FAO experts in Ankara and Mersin, Türkiye, for an immersive knowledge exchange visit exploring how a strong, market-oriented pulse industry can be built from the ground up.
Organised under the EBRD-FAO Agrifood Climate and Environmental Sustainability (ACES) Initiative, in partnership with the FAO Türkiye Country Office and the Turkish Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, the visit brought together public and private sector leaders to share experiences, address common challenges and identify opportunities for collaboration. Drawing on Türkiye’s experience in developing a thriving pulse industry, participants gained practical insights that can help support the growth, competitiveness and sustainability across Central Asia’s pulse sectors.
In Ankara, the focus was on the foundations of a resilient pulse industry: research, innovation and seed systems. Visits to the General Directorate of Agricultural Research and Policies (TAGEM), the Haymana İkizdere Research Station and the Central Research Institute for Field Crops provided insights into Türkiye’s pulse breeding programmes, certified seed systems and the scientific infrastructure behind improved crop varieties. At the National Seed Gene Bank and biotechnology research facilities, delegates saw how research and innovation are helping to preserve genetic resources and accelerate the development of climate-resilient crops.
These lessons were particularly relevant for Central Asia, where farmers face increasing drought and climate-related pressures. Delegates explored the role pulses can play in improving soil fertility through biological nitrogen fixation, diversifying cropping systems and strengthening agricultural resilience. Türkiye’s experience in developing drought-tolerant varieties and expanding access to certified seed systems offered practical lessons for improving productivity and sustainability across the region.
The programme then moved to Mersin, one of Türkiye’s leading production, processing and trading hubs and home to one of the world’s oldest pulse-growing traditions. Through meetings with the Mersin Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MTSO) and the Mersin Commodity Exchange (MTB), delegates gained first-hand insights into how investment, supportive policies and strong public-private cooperation have helped build a competitive, export-oriented pulse industry. Discussions spanned the entire value chain, covering production, processing, storage, quality assurance, trade and export, highlighting the importance of strong links between farmers, researchers, processors, traders and public institutions.
For the Central Asian delegates, the visit was not only an opportunity to learn from Türkiye’s experience, but also to exchange perspectives and identify shared priorities. Key themes included improving access to certified seeds, accelerating the adoption of climate-resilient varieties, strengthening quality-control systems, investing in cleaning, processing and value addition, and deepening cooperation between public institutions and the private sector.
The visit also helped build new professional connections between stakeholders in Türkiye and Central Asia, creating a foundation for future collaboration and knowledge sharing. By connecting Türkiye’s experience with the needs and ambitions of Central Asian pulse producers, researchers, businesses and policymakers, the exchange demonstrated how shared challenges can become opportunities to build more productive, competitive and sustainable pulse value chains.
To find out more about the project that supported this activity, see here.