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| Harnessing the Power of Pulses: Nourishing Communities and Earth |
The origins of World Pulses Day trace back to the UN's International Year of Pulses (IYP) in 2016, where the global community came together to acknowledge and celebrate the profound advantages of pulses worldwide. This recognition culminated in the formal establishment of World Pulses Day by the UN in 2019, spurred by a proposal originating from Burkina Faso. This annual observance serves as a testament to the crucial role that pulses play in advancing sustainable development goals on a global scale, emphasizing their significance in fostering agricultural sustainability and promoting overall well-being.
2024 World Pulses Day Theme:
- This year's theme, "Pulses: Nourishing Soils and People," accentuates the dual advantages of pulses: nourishing human health and promoting soil fertility.
Understanding Pulses:
- Pulses encompass the edible seeds of legume plants such as beans, lentils, and peas, renowned for their dense nutritional profile and culinary versatility.
- Distinguished from other legumes by their exclusion of green-harvested and non-food crops, pulses play a crucial role in global cuisine and agriculture.
Advantages of Pulses:
- Nutrient-Dense: Rich in essential vitamins and minerals, pulses serve as a vital source of nutrition, combating malnutrition and promoting overall health.
- Long Shelf-Life: With extended shelf-life, pulses bolster diet diversity while mitigating food loss and waste.
- Sustainable Cultivation: Thriving in diverse cropping systems, pulses enhance agrobiodiversity, climate resilience, and ecosystem services.
- Soil Enrichment: Pulses' nitrogen-fixing properties enhance soil biodiversity and fertility, reducing the need for synthetic fertilizers and improving agricultural sustainability.
- Economic Opportunities: Pulses offer employment avenues and empower rural communities, particularly women and youth, contributing to socioeconomic development.
Significance of Pulses:
- Health and Nutrition: As a plant-based protein source, pulses combat malnutrition and promote holistic well-being.
- Environmental Sustainability: Pulses' low carbon footprint and biodiversity benefits make them indispensable for environmental conservation and sustainable farming practices.
Global Celebrations and Objectives:
- World Pulses Day aims to raise awareness about the nutritional benefits of pulses, their role in sustainable agriculture, and economic opportunities for farmers.
- By encouraging research and innovation in pulse cultivation, the day fosters continuous improvement in pulse varieties and agricultural practices.
Pulses and Sustainable Development:
- Integral to sustainable development, pulses offer solutions to multifaceted challenges such as food insecurity, malnutrition, environmental degradation, and climate change.
- By nourishing both soil and communities, pulses exemplify a holistic approach to agricultural sustainability, balancing ecological health with human well-being.