Khalid Mahmood Awan

Agriculture is the most critical part of human civilization. Then, pulses are the most significant part of agriculture and have been humankind’s primary food source and security. Therefore, United Nations recognized the significance of pulses and declared 10 February as World Pulses Day.

What are pulses?

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.

Staples dishes and cuisines from across the world feature pulses, from hummus in the Mediterranean (chickpeas) to a traditional full English breakfast (baked navy beans) to Indian dal (peas or lentils).

Pulses do not include crops that are harvested green (e.g. green peas, green beans)—these are classified as vegetable crops. Also excluded are those crops used mainly for oil extraction (e.g. soybean and groundnuts) and leguminous crops used exclusively for sowing purposes (e.g. seeds of clover and alfalfa).

Recognizing their value, on 20 December 2013, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution (A/RES/68/231) proclaiming 2016 as the International Year of Pulses (IYP). The celebration of the year, led by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), increased public awareness of pulses’ nutritional and environmental benefits as part of sustainable food production.

Building on the success of the International Year of Pulses and recognizing their potential to further achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, with particular relevance to Sustainable Development Goals 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 12, 13 and 15, Burkina Faso proposed the observance of World Pulses Day.

In 2019, the General Assembly proclaimed 10 February as World Pulses Day (resolution A/RES/73/251).

Why are pulses essential crops?

Nutritional value

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 fibre, which can lower cholesterol and help control blood sugar. Because of these qualities, they are recommended by health organizations for the management of non-communicable diseases like diabetes and heart conditions. Pulses have also been shown to help combat obesity.

Food security

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

Environmental advantages

The nitrogen-fixing properties of pulses improve soil fertility, increasing and extending the farmland’s productivity. By using pulses for intercropping and cover crops, farmers can promote farm biodiversity and soil biodiversity while keeping harmful pests and diseases at bay.

Furthermore, pulses can contribute to climate change mitigation by reducing dependence on the synthetic fertilizers used to introduce nitrogen artificially into the soil. Greenhouse gases are released during the manufacturing and application of these fertilizers, and their overuse can be detrimental to the environment.

Pakistan has been an agricultural country, and unfortunately, it is not a farming country any more. The total area under major pulse crops in Pakistan is about 1.3 million hectares. Major pulse crops grown in the country are chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.), lentil (Lens culinaris Medic.), Mung bean (Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek), Black gram or Mash bean (Vigna mungo L. Hepper). Minor pulses crop includes pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan L. Millsp.), Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L Walp.), Moth bean (Vigna aconitifolia (Jack) Merechal), common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) and faba bean (Vicia faba L.).

Chickpea is the primary winter food legume among these pulses, and mung is the major summer legume. At the same time, mung bean occupies 18% of the total area devoted to pulses contributing 16% to the total pulses production. The black gram and lentil each are cultivated on 5% of the total pulse area, and each contributes 5% to the total pulses production.

However, unfortunately, Pakistan is not self-sufficient in pulses and imports them. It not only demotivates the indigenous farmers but also develops pressure on foreign reserves. If an agricultural country cannot produce pulses, there is a fundamental flaw in the management, administration and policies. There is a need to revisit all the policies and prioritize the agricultural sector. The provincial departments should lead the process as regulators and facilitate the farmers in research, seed and capacity building. The capacity of the farmers is critical to ensure better agri-productivity. Hence, the agriculture sector must be reformed in all aspects so that Pakistan may achieve the objectives of food security. Without a proficient agricultural sector, food security and agricultural growth shall not be achieved.https://republicpolicy.com/is-reforming-agriculture-sector-vital-for-national-economy/