WORLD PULSES DAY : Definition, History & Importance
- Gk Section
- 0
- Posted on
World Pulses Day is a selected United Nations Worldwide occasion to recognize the importance of pulses (chickpeas, dry beans, lentils, dry peas and lupins among others) as a global food.
WORLD PULSES DAY & its HISTORY
It has been decided to celebrate the day on February 10 each year since 2019 by the seventy-third session of the United Nations General Assembly on December 20, 2018.
This World Pulses Day aims to create awareness about the importance of pulses in sustainable food production and a healthy life cycle.
What are Pulses and their Importance in food?
Pulses are the edible seeds of leguminous plants cultivated for food. The most commonly used and consumed types of pulses are dried beans, lentils, chickpeas, pinto beans and kidney beans. Indian Dal and Baked Navy Beans are part of traditional cuisines prepared all over the globe.
- They provide a vital source of plant-based proteins and amino acids in the human body.
- They help to fight obesity and are part of a healthy food diet.
- They are effective and help to prevent chronic diseases such as diabetes, coronary conditions and cancer.
- Pulses increase soil fertility by pulling nitrogen from the air into the soil.
WHY DO WE NEED TO CELEBRATE THE WORLD PULSES DAY?
Pulse crops tend to have a lower carbon footprint than most foods present worldwide as they require a small amount of fertilizer to grow. They require less water supply and can be adapted to semi-arid conditions which help to fight even drought conditions.
Pulses are pretty inexpensive, very easy to store, have high nutrition value, and their ability to enhance the soil microbiome has been key in improving farming techniques in low-income rural areas.
The United Nations through Food and Agriculture Organization has recognized Pulses critical to address issues of poverty, food security, human health and nutrition. It has become an important contributor to the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations.
- High Nutrition Value
- Food Security
- Environmental Benefits
WORLD PULSES DAY: COMMEMORATIONS AROUND THE WORLD
World Pulses Day is a day to organize activities and emphasize the importance of Pulses and Legumes as a Global Food. Following events or activities are done on this day:
- Local and Worldwide Consultations with pulse experts, policymakers and producer and trade organizations;
- Worldwide & regional awareness campaigns through online forums, the Internet and social media;
- The creation of a food composition database of pulses;
- Research and production of documents and scientific studies.