Pulses play a crucial role in achieving food security, healthy diets and sustainable agri-food systems, said the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). Pulses are the edible seeds of legume plants, such as lentils, chickpeas and Bambara beans.
Qu Dongyu, Director-General of FAO, said pulses required less water than other protein sources. It only needs small land areas for cultivation. Speaking during FAO's recent virtual event to mark World Pulses Day, he said pulses are an affordable, safe and nutritious food source. These seeds are also high in protein, fibre, vitamins, and micronutrients. Pulses could even fix atmospheric nitrogen, release high-quality organic matter in the soil and facilitate soil nutrients' circulation and water retention. Du also pointed out that pulses had a higher cost-benefit ratio than other staples, which helped diversify and improve rural people's income.
"Pulses have a long shelf life. Shifting consumption patterns to more pulses could, therefore, contribute to reducing food waste," he said.
Lastly, Du noted that this characteristic has proved useful during the COVID-19 pandemic. People without access to fresh food could still consume pulses. FAO said it would continue to support its members to increase the production and consumption of pulses. (Image from Unsplash)
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