Vegetable Pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan (L) Millspaugh]C L LGowdaauthorR KSrivastavaauthorK BSaxenaauthorR VKumarauthorMajority of food proteins of plant origin derived from legumes in developing countries are generally grown under low input conditions in marginal environments. Currently, the protein availability among the rural poor in the developing world is less than one-third of its normal requirement; and with a growing population and stagnation of production, the availability of protein is projected to reduce further. Since the food production programmes in most countries are always in favour of staple cereals, the issue of protein availability assumes a greater significance for human nutrition. Among the legumes, pigeonpea or red gram [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millspaugh] occupies an important place in rainfed agriculture. Globally, it is cultivated on 4.92 million ha, with 3.56 million ha in India alone. Although, pigeonpea is reported to be grown in 22 countries, the remaining major producers are Myanmar, China, and Nepal in Asia. Kenya, Malawi, Uganda, Mozambique, and Tanzania also produce considerable amounts of pigeonpea. A few countries in Caribbean islands and South America also cultivate pigeonpea.Pigeonpea2011Daya Publishing HouseBook Section