In an effort to address food security issues related to climate change, the University of Southampton has launched a study aimed at exploring the feasibility of growing legumes such as chickpeas, lentils, and lablab beans in the British Isles. The project involves a group of schoolchildren from Beaulieu Convent School in Jersey who are conducting experiments to determine the best growing conditions for these crops.
The participating schools are logging their data on a website to contribute to the research. Dr. Mark Chapman, who is leading the project, emphasized the need for alternative crops that can thrive in the changing climate. Legumes from warmer regions could potentially be cultivated in the British Isles as temperatures continue to rise, according to Dr. Chapman.
Students like Rayne and Chloe are enthusiastic about the project’s potential impact on the future of food production. Rayne sees lablab as a sustainable food source due to its drought resistance, while Chloe hopes that the research will provide valuable insights for future generations.
The project also involves home economics students who participated in taste-tests to explore various bean-based dishes. Amber and Lisa shared that their favorite dish was the bean-brownie. Jon Hale, who is head of biology at Beaulieu Convent School, highlighted the importance of students engaging with this cutting-edge scientific research as it sparks their interest, motivation, and aspirations in the field. The ultimate goal of the project is to generate a map identifying the best growing locations for these alternative crops across
