World Pulses Day observed globally on February 10

Key facts

• World Pulses Day is celebrated annually on February 10 to highlight the importance of pulses in nutrition, food security, and sustainable agriculture.
• The United Nations (UN) first declared the observance of World Pulses Day in 2019.
• India is the largest producer and consumer of pulses globally.
• According to the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), pulses currently feed over 3 billion people worldwide.
• Pulses are defined as edible seeds from leguminous plants, including lentils, chickpeas, beans, peas, and pigeon peas.
• Pulses are known as the poor man's protein because they provide a cost-effective alternative to expensive animal-based proteins.
• These crops support environmental sustainability by naturally fixing nitrogen in the soil and requiring low amounts of water.