CicerNord

"CicerNord: Adapting Chickpeas to Northern Europe"

The CicerNord project aims to find chickpea types that can grow and ripen reliably in Nordic climates.

⌐ The project has been granted 3.997.284 DKK in funding.  
⌐ The project starts on 1 March 2026 and will end on 31 December 2027.

Introducing the CicerNord project

Background for the project:

Global demand for plant‑based proteins is increasing, and new locally grown crops are needed to support sustainable food production. Chickpeas are a nutritious, high‑protein crop that can also improve soil health by forming a natural partnership with bacteria that provide nitrogen. However, most chickpea varieties are adapted to warmer regions and do not mature in time under Northern European conditions. The CicerNord project aims to find chickpea types that can grow and ripen reliably in Nordic climates.

The activities 

We will test hundreds of different chickpea lines in fields and laboratories to learn how early they flower, how well they yield, how effectively they fix nitrogen, and how nutritious their seeds are. Modern genomic tools will help us link these useful traits to specific genes. This knowledge will guide the development of future chickpea varieties that mature early, provide good yields, and offer high‑quality protein. Industry partners will also test the best‑performing types for taste, texture, and processing qualities to ensure that new varieties meet consumer and market needs. 

Outcomes

All results and materials will be openly shared, giving farmers, breeders, and food companies access to the most promising chickpea types. In the long term, the project aims to establish chickpeas as a new locally adapted crop that supports sustainable farming, reduces reliance on imports, and expands options for healthy plant‑based foods in the Nordic region.