2016 declared the Year of Pulses

Pulses, known as legumes in Australia, are an inexpensive and highly nutritious source of protein. To celebrate and publicise their role in health and nutrition, particularly in developing countries, the UN has declared 2016 the International Year of Pulses.

There are hundreds of varieties of pulses grown throughout the world, including dried beans — such as kidney beans, lima beans, butter beans and broad beans — as well as chickpeas, cowpeas, black-eyed peas and pigeon peas.

“Pulses are important food crops for the food security of large proportions of populations, particularly in Latin America, Africa and Asia, where pulses are part of traditional diets and often grown by small farmers,” said Food and Agriculture Organization Director-General José Graziano da Silva at the official launch.

“Pulses can contribute significantly in addressing hunger, food security, malnutrition, environmental challenges and human health,” UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon added in a written statement delivered on his behalf at the launch ceremony.

Running under the slogan ‘nutritious seeds for a sustainable future’, the UN General Assembly declared 2016 the International Year of Pulses to raise awareness of the many benefits of pulses, boost their production and trade, and encourage new and smarter uses throughout the food chain.

Pulses are part of the food culture and standard diet in most parts in the world and a key ingredient in many signature national and regional dishes, from falafel to dahl to chilli and baked beans.

They are an affordable alternative to more expensive animal-based protein, which makes them ideal for improving diets in poorer parts of the world. Protein sourced from milk, for example, is five times more expensive than protein that can be sourced from pulses.

Because pulses yield two to three times higher prices than cereals, they also offer great potential to lift farmers out of rural poverty, and processing provides additional economic opportunities, especially for women.

While small, pulses are packed with proteins — double that found in wheat and three times that of rice. They are also rich in micronutrients, amino acids and b-vitamins

Low in fat and rich in nutrients and soluble fibre and gluten-free, pulses are also excellent for managing cholesterol and digestive health, and their high iron and zinc content makes them a potent food for combating anemia in women and children. They are a key ingredient in healthy diets to address obesity and to prevent and manage chronic diseases such as diabetes, coronary conditions and cancer.

The Australian International Year of Pulses Committee has been formulating plans and directing activities to mark the year. The focus will be on raising Australia’s profile as a producer of quality pulses, while increasing the domestic consumption of pulses to meet the Grains & Legumes Nutrition Council’s recommendation for all Australians to ‘eat legumes at least 2–3 times a week’.