World Pulses Day 2023: History & Significance of the Day

Legume crops, which include lentils, cowpeas, pigeon peas, kidney beans, peas, beans, chickpeas, etc., are also known as pulse crops. They are used to prepare foods all throughout the world and come in a variety of sizes, shapes, types, and colors. 

Arhar, Rajma, Chana, Peas, Beans, Moth, Moong, and Red lentils are some of the most well-known and extensively used pulses. They are a major nutritious superfood since they include important nutrients like fiber, protein, vitamins, and minerals.

To recognize the importance of these nutrient-rich food crops, the General Assembly of the United Nations adopted a special resolution (A/RES/68/231) on December 20, 2013, and declared 2016 as the International Year of Pulses (I.Y.P.).

The United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organization (F.A.O.) launched a campaign in 2016 to raise awareness of the importance of pulses in our diets all around the world. The United Nations General Assembly declared 10 February to be World Pulses Day in December 2018 as a result of this public awareness campaign, which not only puts pulses in the spotlight but also makes this crop a nutritious and environmentally friendly crop. Since that time, the 10th of February has been celebrated as World Pulses Day.

On February 10, 2019, the first-ever World Year of Pulses (I.Y.P.) Day was celebrated. The day offers a special chance to educate the public about pulses and the crucial part they can play in improving agricultural food systems so that they are more productive, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable for improved food production, nutrition, the environment, and livelihood. It was hoped that by holding these events, governments, the private sector, member organizations, and partner organizations would be inspired to adopt this food system as part of a sustainable and healthy diet and work together to increase the production and consumption of pulses, especially among young people who need a more balanced diet.

Pulses are an essential part of the agricultural system because they can be produced with less water than any other crop and are immune to climate-related disasters, which can improve the lives of farmers in water-scarce areas as well as make farming systems more sustainable and simpler. Pulses can be used to increase the productivity and comfort of farm livelihoods in a number of agricultural systems, including agro-forestry, intercropping, and integrated farming systems. 

From an economic standpoint, industries based on the production and trade of pulses can also be beneficial in ensuring the sustainability, continuity, and scaling of the volume of regional and global supply chains. This will not only help in providing nutrient-dense foods to consumers, but it will also contribute to the sustainable use of natural resources. This is not simply a different approach to fighting hunger, but it will also go a long way toward giving people's assets the correct nutritious components.