Finding the Fit: Chickpeas in WA Farming Systems

Jun 20,2025 Broadening Article, Grain Legumes Project, 2025, Projects, RAD2124,

By Kate Parker & Simon Kruger, WMG

Chickpeas have long been a minor player in Australian agriculture, but their profile has grown significantly in recent years. In 2024–25, national chickpea production reached a record 2.3 million tonnes, almost three times the 10-year average, driven by increased plantings and favourable seasonal conditions in the eastern states. While Queensland and New South Wales account for the majority of this volume, Western Australia is emerging as a small but increasingly important contributor, particularly in the context of diversified rotations and targeted market supply.

Australia’s Chickpeas Production (AgPulse Analytica)

A Distinctive WA Context

Two distinct chickpea types are grown in WA, each suited to different conditions and markets. Desi chickpeas are smaller, darker and commonly processed into dhal. These are largely grown in the northern and eastern Wheatbelt and exported to markets such as India and Bangladesh. Kabuli chickpeas are larger and lighter in colour, better suited for domestic consumption in products like hummus and falafel. In WA, Kabuli chickpeas are typically grown under irrigation in the Ord River region.

Each type of chickpea presents unique agronomic and marketing considerations. However, both have the potential to contribute positively to WA farming systems through their rotational benefits, ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen, and suitability as a lower-input break crop.

Desi variety CBA Captain chickpeas being loaded into a seeder.

Why Chickpeas Are Gaining Attention

Chickpeas provide several advantages for WA grain producers. As legumes, they enhance soil fertility by fixing nitrogen, which can reduce the need for synthetic fertilisers in subsequent crops. Their deep root systems allow them to access moisture from deeper in the soil profile, contributing to resilience in drier seasons and improved soil structure over time. Chickpeas also tend to require fewer chemical inputs than other crops, making them attractive for growers looking to diversify their rotations in more sustainable or regenerative ways.

These characteristics make chickpeas a logical candidate for inclusion in longer-term crop sequences. Recent work through the West Midlands Group (WMG) and partnering grower groups has demonstrated the value of legume inclusion in double-break rotations. Trials near Latham and Dandaragan have shown that a break–break–cereal sequence (for example, canola followed by chickpeas) can lead to improved wheat yields and gross margins in the following season, particularly where early sowing opportunities are capitalised on.

Key agronomic benefits of chickpeas include:

Biological nitrogen fixation that benefits subsequent cereal crops
Access to subsoil moisture through deep taproots
Compatibility with dryland, low-input systems
Support for long-term soil structure and health

Risks and Challenges to Consider

Despite the clear advantages, chickpeas are not without their limitations. For growers in WA, several production and market-based risks need to be managed.

Market volatility remains a key concern, particularly for Desi chickpeas which are heavily reliant on the Indian subcontinent. Recent trade developments have highlighted this risk, including the reimposition of a 10 per cent tariff on Australian chickpea imports into India in 2025 following a temporary suspension in the previous year.

Chickpeas are also susceptible to fungal diseases such as Ascochyta blight, especially in wetter years or high-pressure environments. Managing disease risk requires careful attention to paddock selection, crop rotation and seed hygiene. WMG’s chickpea work is helping to build local knowledge in this area, particularly in understanding how disease risk might vary by soil type, sowing date and variety.

Weed and herbicide compatibility is another area where more experience and resources are required. Chickpeas rely on different herbicide packages than cereals or canola, and early WMG trials have shown that while weed burdens can increase during the chickpea phase, these often do not carry over into the cereal crop if management is appropriate.

Climatic fit also remains a challenge in some areas. Chickpeas are better suited to the northern and central parts of the WA wheatbelt, where spring conditions tend to be warmer and more reliable. In the southern regions, short growing seasons and variable spring finishes can make chickpeas a less dependable option.

Herbicide package options for chickpeas were assessed at the 2023 WMG Spring Field Day site in Dandaragan.

Local Trials Supporting Decision Making

In response to increasing interest in chickpeas as a high value legume option, WMG has initiated a new trial in Moora to explore the crop’s suitability to heavier soil types under local conditions. The paddock-scale trial, established in partnership with local grower Jim Hamilton and supported through the Grain Legumes Project, is examining establishment, nodulation, in-crop management and eventual yield under commercial conditions. The trial includes comparisons of different seeding rates and inoculant strategies and is complemented by laboratory analysis of nodulation performance through the University of Western Australia (UWA).

This work builds on a broader program of research being undertaken across WA as part of the GGA-led Grain Legumes Project. In collaboration with CSIRO, GRDC and regional grower groups, the project is working to close the economic yield gap for grain legumes by generating regionally relevant data and management strategies. Chickpeas are one of several legume crops being investigated, with a focus on herbicide compatibility, time of sowing, rhizobia performance and long-term profitability.

Key themes emerging from recent WA trials include:

Double-break rotations can improve wheat yields and profitability
Early sowing (around mid-April) is proving beneficial for chickpea yield
Inoculant choice and compatibility with WA soils is a critical factor
Variety selection and regional fit influence disease risk and performance

Future Outlook

The area under chickpeas in WA remains small, with fewer than 5,000 hectares planted in recent years. However, the crop is drawing increasing attention from growers who are seeking profitable and sustainable break crop options. With climate variability increasing and rotational diversity becoming more important, chickpeas may offer a valuable alternative, provided they are integrated with care and backed by local research and experience.

Growers considering chickpeas are encouraged to explore current resources, attend local field days, and monitor market conditions. While chickpeas will not suit every system or region, there is growing confidence in their place within WA farming systems as both a profitable and biologically valuable rotational crop.