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).
The 2022 World Pulses Day’s theme was: “Pulses to empower
youth in achieving sustainable agrifood systems”. For this reason, the
programme of the event is focused on testimonies and perspectives of youth
organizations’ representatives. As the pulses sector includes a wide range of
actors, providing employment to rural women and youth in farming communities
and to urban families in the manufacturing sector. Pulses, therefore,
contribute to creating livelihood opportunities and equity, which are also
essential for sustainable agrifood systems.
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.
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