20.12.2021

In Central Europe, three lupin species are grown for agricultural use as grain: yellow lupin (Lupinus luteus), white lupin (L. albus), and narrow-leaved lupin (L. angustifolius), known as blue lupin. As a native protein plant, lupins have been improved in recent years. A variety of programmes have been designed to make cultivation more attractive and create incentives for farmers to produce lupins with high economic efficiency. The loosening of crop rotation combined with a variety of positive effects for the soil are valuable side effects of lupin cultivation. An extensive network of lupin growers, consumers and scientists has been created, which investigates important practice-relevant aspects. Other programmes have promoted the development of the extraction of high-quality protein isolates for use in food production. In addition, funding of a large number of projects has allowed to improve breeding, cultivation and utilisation. The conditions for the cultivation of indigenous legumes and especially for the narrow-leaved lupin are better than they have been for a long time. With this revised brochure, the Society for the Promotion of Lupins (GFL) wants to make its contribution to this positive development.