The United Nations(UN)’s World Pulses Day is annually observed across the globe on 10th February to create awareness about the nutritional and environmental benefits of pulses as part of sustainable food production.
- The day offers a platform to celebrate the major role of the nutritious seeds, pulses, in addressing challenges of poverty, food security, nutrition, soil health and climate change.
The theme of World Pulses Day 2022 is “Pulses to empower youth in achieving sustainable agrifood systems”.
Background:
i.Building on the success of the International Year of Pulses 2016 and recognizing the potential of the pulses to further achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in relevance to the sustainable development goals(SDG), 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 12, 13 and 15, Burkina Faso(Africa) proposed the observance of World Pulses Day.
ii.The United Nations General Assembly(UNGA) adopted the resolution A/RES/73/251 on 20 December 2018 and proclaimed the 10th February of every year as World Pulses Day.
- The first ever World Pulses Day was observed on 10th February 2019.
International Year of Pulses (IYP) 2016:
i.UNGA adopted the resolution A/RES/68/231 on 20 December 2013 and proclaimed the year 2016 as the International Year of Pulses (IYP).
ii.The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) led the celebration of the IYP 2016 to increase the benefits of pulses as part of sustainable food production.
What are Pulses?
i.Pulses, also known as legumes, are the edible seeds of leguminous plants cultivated for both food and feed.
ii.The harvested green like green peas and green beans are not included as pulses, these are classified as vegetable crops.
Note: According to the FAO, India is the largest producer (25% of global production), the consumer (27% of world consumption) and importer (14%) of pulses in the world.
