Context
World Pulses Day is observed yearly on the 10th of February. In the current year 2022, it would be the 4th time when World Pulses Day will be observed on 10, Feb.
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.
- The term “pulses” differentiates from “Crops” because pulses are harvested when the seeds become dry whereas crops are harvested with their plants still green.
- Pulses are a rich source of protein, dietary fiber and minerals which are needed in our body whereas, having a higher amount of nitrogen, they add to the fertility of the land and are environment-friendly.
Pulses production in India
- The country produces a quarter of all pulses in the world and consumes 27 percent — more than any other. India is also the largest importer of pulses.
- Apart from India, other countries, which produce a large number of pulses include Canada, Myanmar, China, Nigeria, Brazil, Australia, the USA, Russia, and Tanzania, while Argentina, France, Ethiopia, and Turkey.
- Madhya Pradesh is a major pulse-producing state in the country; it caters to 32 per cent of the country’s total production.
- A large number of pulses are grown across multiple agro-climatic zones:
- Kharif: Arhar (pigeonpea ); urad (black gram); moong (green gram); barbati (cow pea), lathyrus
- Rabi: gram; pea; ramjash masoor (lentil)
- Zaid (summer): urad; moong; cow pea
- Average productivity per hectare of various pulses at the national level is:
- Moong: 414 kg / hectare (kharif), 577 kg / hectare (zaid)
- Urad: 519 kg / hectare (Kharif), 745 kg / hectare (zaid)
- Arhar: 725 kg / hectare
- Moth: 382 kg / hectare
- Chick pea: 932 kg / hectare
- Peas and beans: 940 kg / hectare
- Lathyrus: 776 kg / hectare
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Theme
- World Pulses Day 2022 is under the theme “Pulses to empower youth in achieving sustainable agrifood systems”.
- World Pulses Day 2021 theme is #LovePulses.
Background
- In 2018, the UN General Assembly decided to mark 10 February as World Pulses Day.
- The first WPD was held on February 10, 2019.
- On 20 December 2013, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution proclaiming 2016 as the International Year of Pulses (IYP).
- The celebration of the year, led by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), increased the public awareness of the nutritional and environmental benefits of pulses as part of sustainable food production.
