Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) – Building on the success of the International Year of Pulses in 2016 led by FAO, the United Nations General Assembly designated 10 February as World Pulses Day, which has since been supported by many Member countries. World Pulses Day is an opportunity to raise awareness of the nutritional benefits of pulses and their contribution to sustainable food systems and a world without hunger.

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. Pulses do not include crops that are harvested green (e.g. green peas, green beans)—these are classified as vegetable crops. Staples dishes and cuisines from across the world feature pulses. For example, such uzbek dishes as nohat-shurak, mashkhurda, mokhora, pilaf. 

«Pulses are critical in addressing the challenges of poverty, food security, human health and nutrition, soil health and environment, thereby contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals and the Food and Agriculture Organization’s (FAO) Hand-in-Hand Initiative, - Aziz Nurbekov, FAO National Consultant on Drought Risk Management stressed. – In 2020, in order to improve seed production, the FAO Representation in Uzbekistan transferred 5 tons of chickpea seeds and 500 kg of mung bean seeds to farmers in the Kamashi district of the Kashkadarya region and the Bukhara district of the Bukhara region.

Pulses are important crops because they are packed with nutrients and have a high protein content, making them an ideal source of protein particularly in regions where meat and dairy are not physically or economically accessible. Pulses are low in fat and rich in soluble fiber, which can lower cholesterol and help in the control of blood sugar.

For farmers, pulses are an important crop because they can both sell them and consume them, which helps farmers maintain household food security and creates economic stability.