World Pulses Day was celebrated in recognition of the nutritional, health and environmental benefits of pulses and the important role they can play in achieving several Sustainable Development Goals.
On the evening of February 15, the Global Pulse Confederation (GPC) hosted a World Pulses Day dinner in Dubai ahead of the Gulfood food and beverage trade exhibition. The dinner was attended by more than 20 guests representing many key pulse trading nations, including the UAE, India, Turkey, the U.S., Ukraine, Argentina, Ethiopia, Madagascar and Spain.
Last year, the United Nations proclaimed February 10th World Pulses Day in recognition of the nutritional, health and environmental benefits of pulses and the important role they can play in achieving several Sustainable Development Goals.
“In an era of climate change and exponential population growth, pulses can literally save the world,” said GPC President Cindy Brown. “Because they are nutrient dense and a high-quality source of protein, they can help address the problems of hunger, malnutrition and obesity. And because pulse crops use less chemical fertilizers and water than most competing crops, they are vital to the sustainable food systems we need to feed the world.”
Additionally, pulse production provides a livelihood to millions of smallholder farmers, most of them women, in much of the developing world, making them an essential element in the Sustainable Development Goals of no poverty and zero hunger.
Lastly, pulses have caught the attention and imagination of the global food industry, which has been finding new, innovative ways to include these nutritious grains into new products. In fact, Gulfood is dedicating the entire afternoon of Tuesday, February 18 to sessions focused on plant-based food items. Whether its alternative meat, pasta made with pulse flour or even unlikely pulse-based desserts and ice cream, consumers now have options on store shelves that meet their demands for healthy, nutritious and environmentally friendly foods.
