WORLD PULSES DAY 2023: World Pulses Day is celebrated on 10th of February every year around the world. The United Nations General Assembly designated this as a global event on February 10th of each year since 2019 by the General Assembly of the United Nations on December 20, 2018. This day is marked to raise awareness about the importance of pulses (chickpeas, dry beans, lentils, dry peas and lupins among others) as a global food. It also highlights the nutritional value, food security, and environmental benefits of pulses.
History
The International Year of Pulses was declared in a resolution (A/RES/68/231) adopted by the UN General Assembly on December 20, 2013. (IYP). The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations was in charge of this commemoration (FAO). Its goal was to raise public knowledge of pulses’ advantages in terms of nutrition and the environment.
The success of the International Year of Pulses led to recognition of the crops’ ability to advance the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The Sustainable Development Goals 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 12, 13 and 15 received special attention. Burkina Faso suggested World Pulses Day as a result of this.
World Pulses Day was declared by the UN General Assembly on February 10 of this year.
Purpose
The goal of World Pulses Day is to improve food security and nutrition by increasing knowledge of the nutritional advantages of pulses as a component of sustainable food production.
Additionally, World Pulses Day aims to maintain the momentum created by FAO’s declaration of 2016 as the International Year of Pulses.
Why Pulses?
Since they only need a little quantity of fertiliser to grow, pulse crops have a less carbon impact than most foods. Because they are evolved to semi-arid environments and can withstand drought stress, they also have a minimal water footprint. However, it goes beyond sustainability: Pulses are highly nutritious, affordable, and convenient to store. Their capacity to improve the soil microbiome has proven crucial in advancing farming practices in rural areas with limited income.
Health Benefits of pulses
Pulses have been studied by nutrition researchers for years because the food is commonly consumed around the world and because increasing your intake of this versatile food seems to provide health benefits.