Overview
- February 10 is designated by the UN General Assembly as World Pulses Day, building on the 2016 International Year of Pulses.
- The 2026 theme, “Pulses of the world: from modesty to excellence,” seeks to shift perceptions from a humble staple to celebrated food.
- FAO notes per-capita consumption has fallen in many countries due to dietary shifts and views of pulses as traditional or low-cost fare.
- Pulses provide affordable nutrition with protein, fiber, and key minerals such as iron, folate, potassium, and magnesium, with 100 grams of lentils offering about 9 grams of protein.
- Cultivating pulses saves water, reduces synthetic nitrogen fertilizer needs, and boosts soil organic carbon, lowering environmental impacts.