Pulses are highly nutritious elements of the human diet. However, not
everybody eats pulses.

Many are ignorant of the health benefits of pulses. Looking at this scenario, the United Nations decided in 2018 to dedicate a day to spreading awareness about the benefits, value, and worth of pulses.

So, with the collaboration of Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the UN designated February 10th of every year to be celebrated as International Day of Pulses.

What are pulses?

Pulses, also known as legumes, are the edible seeds of leguminous plants cultivated for food. Dried beans, lentils and peas are the most commonly known and consumed types of pulses.

Staples dishes and cuisines from across the world feature pulses, from hummus in the Mediterranean (chick peas), to a traditional full English breakfast (baked navy beans) to Indian dal (peas or lentils).

Pulses do not include crops that are harvested green (e.g. green peas, green beans)—these are classified as vegetable crops. Also excluded are those crops used mainly for oil extraction (e.g. soybean and groundnuts) and leguminous crops that are used exclusively for sowing purposes (e.g. seeds of clover and alfalfa).

Why are pulses important crops?

Nutritional value

They are packed with nutrients and have a high protein content, making them an ideal source of protein particularly in regions where meat and dairy are not physically or economically accessible.

Pulses are low in fat and rich in soluble fiber, which can lower cholesterol and help in the control of blood sugar.

Because of these qualities, they are recommended by health
organizations for the management of non-communicable diseases like
diabetes and heart conditions. Pulses have also been shown to help
combat obesity.

Food security

For farmers, pulses are an important crop because they can both sell them
and consume them, which helps farmers maintain household food security
and creates economic stability.

Environmental benefits

The nitrogen-fixing properties of pulses improve soil fertility, which increases and extends the productivity of the farmland.

By using pulses for intercropping and cover crops, farmers can also promote farm biodiversity and soil biodiversity, while keeping harmful pests and diseases at bay.

Furthermore, pulses can contribute to climate change mitigation by reducing dependence on the synthetic fertilizers used to introduce nitrogen artificially into the soil.

Greenhouse gases are released during the manufacturing and application of these fertilizers, and their overuse can be detrimental to the environment.

Origin

Recognizing their value, on 20 December 2013, the UN General Assembly
adopted a resolution proclaiming 2016 as the International Year of Pulses
(IYP).

The celebration of the year, led by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), increased the public awareness of the nutritional and environmental benefits of pulses as part of sustainable food production.

Building on the success of the International Year of Pulses and recognizing their potential to further achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, with particular relevance to Sustainable Development Goals 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 12, 13 and 15, Burkina Faso proposed the observance of World Pulses Day.

Theme of World Pulses Day, 2021

The theme, “Nutritious Seeds for a Sustainable Future,” was long decided in 2016 when the year was nominated to be celebrated as International Year of Pulses. Since then, the theme has stayed the same from 2019 to 2021.

Purpose of International Day of Pulses

The basic purpose of World Pulses day is a universal clarity about the need and importance of Pulses as an organic, affordable and economic food item that may not only provide us with better health and important, sufficient nutrients but also give us handsome financial support through commerciality.

Another purpose to celebrate this day is that although technological advancement in agriculture has brought a reasonable increase in crop production rate yet the need for the hour is to produce crops that may help our environment too.

Pulses have a higher value of Nitrogen which contradictory to other crops make the soil more fertile and feasible to grow better in successive years. Climate change, on the other hand, is a burning issue now-a-days where because of our crops’ lack of reproduction capacity Urea is consumed and the aridity of land increases. Pulses have a characteristic to produce minerals and Urea by themselves and hence are environment-friendly in
terms of oxygen too.

The purpose to celebrate this day is also to make people aware of the fact that pulses are human-friendly, are rich in protein, have a higher rate of fiber and contain essential nutrients whereas these all things are necessary for a healthy lifestyle.

Moreover, obesity is a common problem in all major countries including the USA and is the main cause of cardiac diseases and people want to get rid of obesity complications.

Such observance is an attempt to make them believe that Pulses may help them in their journey to weight-loss.

Significance of World Pulses Day

World Pulses Day glances over the 2nd Sustainable Development Goal, however, the significance of this day is not limited to this goal only.

In fact, it includes the United Nations’ other objectives included in its Agenda 2030 which may include the 3rd goal “good health and well-being” and 13th goal “climate action”.

This day covers these aspects in terms of pulses as a natural, organic and essential part of good health as well as their human-friendly nature and Nitrogen richness that ultimately defines climate action.

Hence, this day amplifies and improvises a wide range of motives to attain in the future.

Activities of World Pulses Day, 2021

As there is no gazette holiday on this day, the delicious dishes made of Pulses can be taken to work-places.

Women can be indulged and motivated to grow Pulses at home for reasonable economic/financial support.

Public figures/Celebrities are seen advertising pulses diet on this day which can help people to lose weight and enjoy a sexy figure.

The biggest pulses-producing countries India, Australia, Canada, China, USA, Brazil, Pakistan, Russia, Turkey, Ethiopia, France, Argentina, Myanmar and Nigeria celebrate World Pulses Day with great warmth.