United Nations (UN)’s World Pulses Day (WPD) is annually observed across the globe on February 10 to recognise the value of these food items and to increase knowledge of the nutritional benefits of consuming a variety of foods, including pulses.
- The theme of World Pulses Day 2023 is “Pulses for a sustainable future”.
WPD is also observed to educate the public about pulses and the fundamental role they play in the transition to MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable agrifood systems for greater production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life for everyone.
Aim:
WPD aims to spread awareness about the nutritional and environmental benefits of pulses as part of sustainable food production.
Background:
i. Building on the success of the International Year of Pulses (IYP) in 2016 implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the UN and recognising the potential of pulses to advance the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 12, 13, and 15 in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
ii. The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted the resolution A/RES/73/251 on 20th December 2018 and proclaimed February 10 of every year as World Pulses Day.
- Burkina Faso, a landlocked country in West Africa, proposed the observance of World Pulses Day.
iii. The 1st ever World Pulses Day was observed on 10th February 2019.
International Year of Pulses (IYP):
i. The UNGA adopted the resolution A/RES/68/231 on 20th December 2013 and declared the year 2016 as the International Year of Pulses (IYP).
ii. The FAO was nominated to facilitate the implementation of the Year in collaboration with Governments, relevant organizations, non-governmental organizations and all other relevant stakeholders.
Pulses:
i. Pulses, also known as grain legumes, are a group of 12 crops that includes dry beans, dry peas, chickpeas, and lentils. They are hearty crops that are rich in protein, fibre, and several vitamins, and supply amino acids.
ii. The production of one pound of pulses uses only 43 gallons of water as compared to 216 for soybeans and 368 for peanuts. They help improve the quality of the soil by fixing nitrogen in the soil.
- Up to 25% of pulses are used as feedstuff, particularly for pigs and poultry.
iii. India is the largest producer (25% of global production), the consumer (27% of world consumption) and the importer (14%) of pulses in the world.
About the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO):
Director-General- Qu Dongyu
Headquarters- Rome, Italy
Establishment- 1945
