Global Forum on Food Security and Nutrition

FAO

 

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DISCUSSION No. 128   •   FSN Forum digest No. 1237

Pulses are praised for their health, environmental and economic benefits. How can their full potential be tapped?

until 19 June 2016

 

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Dear Members,

Today we share the latest contributions to the online discussion exploring the benefits of pulses (legumes harvested solely for the dry grain such as beans, chickpeas and lentils, etc.) as well as challenges related to their production.

Below you can also read the feedback to some of the comments from Teodardo Calles, FAO technical expert on pulses.

We invite you to keep sharing information that will allow us to understand better how important pulses are for the diets in your families, communities and countries. Also let us know how you prepare them and what you think could be done to increase their contribution to food security and better nutrition.

Please visit the discussion page to read all comments received, to access background information and to post your contributions, which are welcome in all UN languages.

We look forward to keep receiving your comments.

Your FSN Forum team

 

 

Teodardo Calles, Agricultural Officer, FAO, Italy

Dear participants,

I am very happy that members of this forum are not only expressing their opinions about pulses but are also sharing interesting material about pulses around the world.

This information will help us to sharpen the focus of the second half of the 2016 International Year of Pulses.

Teodardo Calles

Participants to this discussion clearly agreed that pulses are of crucial importance for humankind. However, as expressed by Mr. Dhakal, this year should go beyond the raising awareness campaign and work towards helping the most vulnerable farmers. In order to achieve this, research and extension on underutilized pulse species, which in many cases are well adapted to local environmental conditions, should be promoted, as suggested by Prof. KV Peter, and traditional pulse-based dishes that are disappearing should be supported, as pointed out by Prof. Houngbo. In other words, we need to increase the number of pulses that can be grown in marginal areas as suggested by Prof. Howieson.

However, I also believe it is of particular significance to make children realize the importance of pulses, as expressed by Ms. Yesudas; then they will be able to appreciate this kind of food and hopefully this will support dietary shift as noted by Dr. Boyle.

This discussion will be ongoing until 19.06.2016 and therefore we would appreciate if you could keep contributing and extend this invitation to your colleagues.

Teodardo Calles

 

 

CONTRIBUTIONS RECEIVED

iconSeyyed Hossain Sabbaghpour, AREEO, Islamic Republic of Iran

Seyyed describes the production of pulses in Iran, where the internal demand is satisfied although there are still areas with high potential for producing especially chickpeas and lentils in dryland conditions. He also explores the main challenges, which relate to drought, cold, ascochyta blight and fusarium wilt.

Read the comment

 

iconDr Amanullah, The University of Agriculture Peshawar, Pakistan

Dr Amanullah shares a list of research papers on pulses he contributed to.

Read the comment

 

iconEmile Houngbo, Agricultural University of Ketou (UAK), Benin

Emile's contribution provides a perspective from Benin on the use and benefits of pulses. In his country there are still problems regarding their large-scale adoption and increase in production despite the undeniable advantages of these crops. Furthermore Emile adds that some traditional pulse-based dishes such as Ataklè and Magni Magni are disappearing.

Read the contribution

 

 

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