World Pulses Day – History, Significance, Theme

Pulses are referred to as the dried seeds of legumes and come in several different shapes and sizes. World Pulses Day is an event celebrated on 10 February all across the globe to create awareness about pulses. It was first celebrated in 2019 and the year 2016 was celebrated as the International Year of pulses. Let’s read about this event, World Pulses Day in detail.

What is World Pulse Day?

In 2019 General Assembly proclaimed 10 February as World Pulses Day and recognises pulses as a global food. World Pulses Day is the celebration of the contribution of pulses to sustainable food systems, healthy growth, and environmental benefits. On this day, people make efforts in making awareness about the importance of pulses in sustainable food production. Donations of pulses are made to provide it to the people it is not easily accessible. Burkina Faso proposed the observance of World Pulses Day.

The UN General Assembly after recognizing the value of pulses in 2013, adopted 2016 as The International Year of Pulses (IVP). The UN Food and Agricultural Organization(FAO), increased public awareness of the nourishing and environmental benefits of pulses.

Why a World Pulse Day?

According to FAO(1994), pulses, a subgroup of legumes are crop plant members of the Leguminosae family that produces edible seeds, which are used for human and animal consumption. Only legumes harvested for dry grain are classified as pulses. It is an important source of protein, especially in developing countries. Beans, chickpeas, and peas are the most well-known and commonly consumed type of pulses, but there are many more varieties of pulses around the world. Moreover, pulses are all with great benefits for food security, nutrition, health, climate change, and biodiversity. 

All because of this potential of pulses to further achieve the 2030 agenda for Sustainable development, The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) designated 10 February as World Pulses Day (WPD). This is due to the reason to spread its importance. Furthermore, the Fundamental role they play in the transformation to more efficient, inclusive, and sustainable agrifood systems for better production, better nutrition, better environment, and a better life, leaving no one behind.

World Pulse Day Theme:

The Theme of World Pulse Day 2021 – 

World Pulse Day 2021 is under the theme #Lovepulses. Pulses are essential for a healthy diet. It is rich in proteins. This day should be taken as an opportunity to raise awareness and recognize the contribution of pulses to sustainable food systems and the healthy food cycle. Pulses fix atmospheric nitrogen into the soil, making the soil fertile and improving soil biodiversity.

The Theme of World Pulse Day 2022 – 

The 2022 World Pulses Day’s theme was: “Pulses to empower youth in achieving sustainable agrifood systems”. For this reason, the program of the event is concentrated on testaments and perspectives of youth associations ’ representatives. As the pulses sector includes a wide range of actors, furnishing employment to pastoral women and youth in tilling communities and to civic families in the manufacturing sector. Pulses, thus, contribute to creating livelihood openings and equity, which are also essential for sustainable agrifood systems.