The United Nations (UN’s) World Pulses Day (WPD) is observed annually on February 10 across the globe to highlight the importance of pulse crops, such as chickpeas, dry beans, and lentils, in the world’s food systems.
- The theme of WPD 2025 is “Pulses: Bringing diversity to agrifood systems” underscores the vital role of pulses in promoting diversity, both above and below the ground.
- The slogan of WPD 2025 is “Love pulses for a healthy diet and planet”.
Background:
i.On December 20, 2013, the UN General Assembly (UNGA) adopted the resolution A/RES/68/231 and proclaimed 2016 as the International Year of Pulses (IYP) to raise awareness about their nutritional and environmental benefits in sustainable food production.
ii.The UNGA adopted the resolution A/RES/73/251 on December 20, 2018, officially establishing February 10 as WPD every year, with Burkina Faso, a landlocked West African country, proposing the observance.
- The first -ever WPD was observed on February 10, 2019
iii.This day was created following the successful implementation of the IYP in 2016 by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
What are Pulses?
i.Pulses are a subset of legume crops, which encompass varieties like chickpeas, peas, beans, lentils, and others.
ii.The word pulse originates directly from the Latin word ‘puls‘ meaning “thick gruel, porridge, mush.”
iii.These crops serve various purposes, including livestock forage, human consumption, and as soil-enriching green manure.
Significance:
i.Pulses are nutrient-rich, high in protein, low in fat, and packed with soluble fiber, aiding in cholesterol control, blood sugar management, and disease prevention, particularly for diabetes, heart conditions, and obesity.
ii.For farmers, pulses ensure food security, economic stability, and sustainable farming by improving soil fertility and reducing fertilizer use.
Pulses Production in India:
i.India stands as the world’s largest producer (26%), consumer (30%), and importer (14%) of pulses.
ii.Pulses occupy about 20% of the area dedicated to food grains and contribute roughly 7-10% to India’s total food grain production.
iii.The predominant pulses produced in India are chickpeas (48%), pigeon pea (14%), blackgram (12%), green gram (8%), and lentils (7%).
iv.India’s pulse production has increased from 163.23 lakh tonnes in 2015-16 to 244.93 lakh tonnes in 2023-24.
- Based on the production estimates for the year 2022-23, Madhya Pradesh(MP), Maharashtra and Rajasthan are the top three pulses producing states in the country.
v.The average productivity of pulses in the NorthEast Region (NER) is 848 kilogram per hectare (kg/ha), surpassing the national average of 764 kg/ha.
Note: Pulses are highly water efficient for producing 1 kg of lentils needs 1250 liters, while 1 kg of beef requires 13,000 liters.
2025 Events:
i.The FAO and the Peruvian Ministry of Agricultural Development and Irrigation (MIDAGRI) are worked together to organize World Pulses Day 2025 celebration in Lima, Peru.
- For the first time, the celebration will take place outside the FAO Headquarters.
ii.The celebration includes a high-level ceremony, an exhibition and a gastronomic presentation featuring tarwi, a native pulse from Peru.
About Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO):
Director-General (DG)– Qu Dongyu
Headquarters– Rome, Italy
Established- 1945
