Here in the UK I may soon be unable to buy my staple food of organic chickpea flour and bags of chickpeas in quantity, due to a world shortage.
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A global chickpea shortage is expected due to weather conditions, war, and supply chain issues, which may lead to a decrease in hummus and other chickpea-based products. Chickpea crop yields are anticipated to drop as much as 20 percent this year, with Russia and Ukraine, major exporters, facing significant disruptions.
Today, the importance of legumes is underestimated in most countries. Not only does it play a crucial role in the diet of millions of people in developing countries, but the United Nations also encourages the consumption of these edible seeds as an alternative source of animal protein. Iran is one of the major exporters of legumes, especially chickpeas, and accounts for one percent of global production of legumes. This study was aimed to investigate chickpea production and adaptability strategies under future climate change conditions to achieve maximum grain yield. Climatic data on the baseline (1981–2010) was used as input for general circulation models to run RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 scenarios, to compare with predicted data for near (2021–2050) and far (2051–2080) climate change and to determine the extent of climate change. The CROPGRO-Chickpea model from DSSAT software was used to simulate the effects of climate change and evaluate adaptation strategies. Under RCP4.5 and RCP8.5, the grain yield was improved by 1.0 % and 17.1 %, respectively, in near climate change and by 2.3 % and 11.0 % in far climate change compared to baseline (1215/48 kg ha−1). Early sowing of different cultivars improved grain yield, with ILC482 cultivar showing the shortest phenological development stage and the highest grain yield under climate change. In conclusion, a combination of early cultivars and early sowing date can be an appropriate management strategies for chickpea production in Kermanshah region under climate change.
Iran was a major producer, but years of drought have left the country, and its 93 million population, without easy access to water. Drought kills crops. Many parts of the world have been hit by drought, leading to starvation, for examole, Somalia. But the crisis in Iran traps them into threatening all of us if we do not help them:
The Karun River and other historically vital water sources have been severely depleted, while once-prominent wetlands such as Hamoon have largely dried up.
Temperatures have intensified the shortages, with parts of southwestern Iran recording highs above 50°C.
Iran is warming at roughly twice the global average, accelerating evaporation and exacerbating drought conditions.
Extreme weather patterns, including alternating floods and droughts, have strained infrastructure and agricultural systems.
The shortages have also driven cross-border tensions.
Iran accuses Afghanistan of withholding water from the Helmand River in violation of a 1973 treaty, while clashes in 2023 resulted in casualties on both sides.
Iraq has similarly accused Iran of diverting tributaries feeding the Tigris River, reducing flows to downstream communities.
In response, Iran has launched desalination projects drawing water from the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman, with multi-billion-dollar investments in pipelines to central and eastern provinces.
However, the projects face high operating costs and environmental concerns.
Experts estimate that up to 70% of Iran’s groundwater reserves have already been depleted, raising concerns over long-term sustainability.
The Ministry of Energy has warned that 19 of Iran’s 31 provinces are currently experiencing severe drought conditions, with some towns dependent on trucked water deliveries and strict rationing.
Disruptions have also triggered an increase in dust storms, particularly in Sistan and Baluchestan, where air quality has deteriorated significantly, causing widespread respiratory illness.
Ukraine, another war hit region, also used to be a major grower of chickpeas, and these geopolitical conflicts exacerbate an already insecure food supply for the world.
As the closure of the Strait of Hormuz has choked off the vital flow of energy, so producers cannot put fuel in the machines that collect and bag the crop. Merchant ships cannot travel through the Strait to the eagerly awaiting customers.
One of Trump’s threats was to destroy Iran’s newly built desalination plants:
Trump threat to destroy Iran’s water desalination plants would be war crime, legal experts say
Retired, living in the Scottish Borders after living most of my life in cities in England. I can now indulge my interest in all aspects of living close to nature in a wild landscape. I live on what was once the Iapetus Ocean which took millions of years to travel from the Southern Hemisphere to here in the Northern Hemisphere. That set me thinking and questioning and seeking answers.
In 1998 I co-wrote Millennium Countdown (US)/ A Business Guide to the Year 2000 (UK) see https://www.abebooks.co.uk/products/isbn/9780749427917
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