International Year of Pulses

Logo of International Year of Pulses 2016

2016 was declared as the International Year of Pulses by the sixty eighth session of the United Nations General Assembly on December 20, 2013.^[1] The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations has been nominated to declare a year for pulses.

An International Year designation provides an unprecedented opportunity to raise awareness and to celebrate the role of beans, chickpeas, lentils and other pulses in feeding the world. Even more importantly, it will be a galvanizing moment to draw together key actors to further the contributions pulses make to health, nutrition, and sustainability.^[2]

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Purpose

The FAO intends to make people more aware of the nutritional value of pulses, of their contribution to sustainability, and more reliable food. The year should facilitate cooperation within food production systems to use protein in pulses better. Also the year should promote production of pulses worldwide, improve crop rotation and improve trade in pulses.^[4]

The IYP 2016 aims to heighten public awareness of the nutritional benefits of pulses as part of sustainable food production aimed towards food security and nutrition. The Year will create a unique opportunity to encourage connections throughout the food chain that would better utilize pulse-based proteins, further global production of pulses, better utilize crop rotations and address the challenges in the trade of pulses.^{[5] [6]} Diet is an important contributor to health, and to disease. Most countries face nutritional problems, from undernutrition and micronutrient deficiencies to obesity and diet-related diseases (such as type II diabetes and certain types of cancer), or a mix of these. Pulses are a nutrient-rich food that as part of a healthy diet can help fight malnutrition in both developed and developing countries.

Importance of Pulses

Pulses are beans and peas that are harvested dry. Examples are lentils, chickpeas, pinto beans, kidney beans, and more.

1. Pulses provide a vital source of plant-based proteins and amino acids for people around the globe, ensuring food security. 2. As part of a healthy diet high in fiber, pulses fight obesity. 3. Pulses also prevent and help manage chronic diseases such as diabetes, coronary conditions, and cancer. 4. Pulses are an important source of plant-based protein for livestock. 5. Pulses pull nitrogen from the air into the soil, increasing soil fertility. 6. Pulses use less water than most other protein crops, making them a sustainable agricultural choice.^[7]

References

External links

• International Year of the Pulse website
• Food and Agriculture Organization
• International year of pulses