Celebrating the power of pulses

World Pulses Day, 10 February, is an opportunity to celebrate the critical role these nutritious seeds play in addressing challenges of poverty, food security, nutrition, soil health and climate change.

Since The International Year of Pulses in 2016, FAO has been the lead agency in promoting the power of pulses. Find out more about the nutritional benefits of pulses, their contribution to sustainable food systems and a world without hunger:

Pulses: Nutritious seeds for a sustainable future
This publication presents the impact of pulses on nutrition, health, climate change, biodiversity and food security. It also shows how pulses can be grown in garden patches, and how to cook them. The first of a series of beautifully illustrated cookbooks, rooted in FAO’s unique 360° knowledge on food and agriculture-related questions. See also "Fish: Know it, cook it, eat it".

The global economy of pulses
The report presents an analysis of pulses consumption trends in different world regions and discusses the role that pulses play in healthy nutrition as well as their increasingly important contribution to trade.

Pulse crops for sustainable farms in sub-Saharan Africa
A review of promising options for using pulses to support food security and environmental conservation in African smallholder farms. Pulses are rich in iron, protein and energy, and they are suitable for soil erosion control and soil nutrient recapitalization.

Mainstreaming efficient legume seed systems in Eastern Africa
This paper identifies areas of action to boost growth in the legume seed sector, from increasing total seed production and availability to improving access to high-quality seed of improved varieties and lowering costs of seeds.

Soils and pulses: Symbiosis for life
This publication highlights how good practices may be put in place to support ending hunger and malnutrition, adapting to climate change, halting land degradation and achieving overall sustainable development.

Pulses and their by-products as animal feed
This paper highlights the nutritional role of pulses by-products, including plant residues, chunies and husks, for domestic animals, providing information and data, such as chemical composition, anti-nutritional factors and effect of feeding in ruminants, pig and poultry.

Pulses factsheets 2021
This series of infographics outlines how pulses can contribute to nutrition, food security and health, and illustrates their ability to adapt to climate change and increase biodiversity.

Further reading

• A guide to World Pulses Day 2024
• Proceedings of the regional consultation on the promotion of pulses in Asia for multiple health benefits
• Future smart food: Rediscovering hidden treasures of neglected and underutilized species for Zero Hunger in Asia
• Legacy of the International Year of Pulses

Youth publications

• FAO KIDS − Health benefits of pulses
• FAO Kids − Pulses contribute to food security

Additional resources

Website

• World Pulses Day, 10 February

Stories

• For the love of pulses!
• Nature's nutritious seeds: 10 reasons why you should opt for pulses
• How to get kids to eat pulses