Protein crops like faba beans play a crucial role in Irish tillage farms by breaking disease and weed cycles, especially as the sector aims to lower pesticide usage. These crops also help reduce production costs by fixing atmospheric nitrogen, benefiting future crops with residual nitrogen after harvest.

Compared to traditional crops such as barley and wheat, leguminous crops like faba beans have deep roots that enhance soil structure in fields prone to compaction issues.

Incentivisation

Despite their numerous advantages, faba beans and similar crops have only recently gained popularity on a national scale. This growth can be largely attributed to the protein aid payment, which has led to a nearly five-fold increase in crop acreage over the past decade since its introduction. This raises the question: What would happen if these supports were reduced or eliminated?

Food products

Faba beans, which produced nearly 90,000 tonnes in 2024, serve as a vital source of indigenous protein for the animal feed industry. Ongoing research by Teagasc is exploring their potential as ingredients in food production systems. Market reports suggest that the plant-based food sector is projected to grow by 6-10% annually until 2030.

Attendees at Crops and Technology events will have the opportunity to learn about innovative technologies and processing methods that can enhance the value of Irish protein crops. These crops can be transformed into ingredients for everyday food items like bread and beverages.

What to Expect at the Protein Stand:

• Field trials on Irish protein crops
• Live demonstrations of crop transformation into food ingredients
• Sampling of products made from protein crops
• Observation of various protein crops in the field
• Display of ingredients and products developed from mainstream Irish tillage sector crops
• Showcasing of research progress to date
• Opportunity to engage with researchers