World Pulses Day

Categories:: Food & Beverage
Tags:: Food International
Where:: International
Date change rule:: Every February 10
Holiday emoji:: 🫘

World Pulses Day, observed every February 10, recognizes the vital role of pulses (legumes) in global food security and sustainable agriculture. Designated by the United Nations, this day highlights their nutritional benefits and potential to eradicate hunger and poverty. Join the global effort to promote pulses by exploring new recipes, sharing their benefits, and supporting initiatives that advance sustainable food systems.

Deals
Platforms
Social
Hero
History
Timeline
FAQs
Importance
Celebrate

Expected World Pulses Day Deals

World Pulses Day, a United Nations-backed observance, focuses on awareness and education rather than commercial deals. Organizations like the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the Global Pulse Confederation lead campaigns to highlight the nutritional and environmental benefits of pulses. Expect to see educational resources, recipe challenges, and calls for donations to support sustainable agriculture and food security initiatives. Some food brands, such as Goya Foods or Bob’s Red Mill, may feature pulses in their marketing or offer special promotions on their legume products. We will update this page with confirmed live initiatives as February 10 approaches.

Platform Guide for World Pulses Day

Instagram

Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #WorldPulsesDay. Share vibrant photos of pulse-based meals, highlight their health benefits, or showcase sustainable farming practices.

X/Twitter

Mention @NatlToday and use #WorldPulsesDay. Join conversations about food security, sustainable diets, and the role of pulses in combating malnutrition.

Facebook

Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #WorldPulsesDay. Share educational articles, host a live cooking demo with pulses, or organize a community discussion on sustainable food.

World Pulses Day Hero

Norman Borlaug

Norman Borlaug (1914–2009) was an American agronomist and humanitarian who is often called the 'Father of the Green Revolution.' Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1970, he developed high-yield, disease-resistant wheat varieties that significantly increased food production in developing countries. His work saved over a billion people from starvation and laid foundational principles for sustainable agriculture, including the importance of diverse crops like pulses.

History of World Pulses Day

Pulses — also known as legumes — refer to the edible seeds of pod-bearing plants, such as dry peas, dry beans, lupins, lentils, and chickpeas. While pulses exist in various shapes, varieties, sizes, and colors and remain a large part of dishes from across the world, the most popular and widely-consumed types of pulses are dried beans, peas, and lentils. By definition, pulses strictly comprise dried seeds of leguminous plants cultivated for food and exclude vegetable crops harvested while still green. Their seeds are loaded with essential nutrients such as fiber, protein, vitamins, and minerals, making them important and healthy superfoods.

To honor the significance of these nutrient-packed food crops, the General Assembly of the United Nations, on December 20, 2013, adopted a special resolution (A/RES/68/231) and proclaimed 2016 as the International Year of Pulses (I.Y.P.). The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (F.A.O.) led the celebration in 2016, and the event successfully increased public awareness about the nutritional and environmental benefits of pulses.

Building on the success and momentum of the I.Y.P., and recognizing the potential of pulses to further achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, Burkina Faso, a landlocked West African nation, proposed the global observance of World Pulses Day. On December 20, 2018, the General Assembly of the United Nations proclaimed February 10 as World Pulses Day through resolution (A/RES/73/251), and the day has been celebrated as a global event since 2019 and supported by many member nations. According to the U.N., pulses remain influential in mitigating the global challenges of poverty, food security and nutrition, human health, and soil health.

World Pulses Day timeline

7000 B.C.

Ancient Superfoods

The ancient Turks start cultivating chickpeas and lentils.

2013 A.D.

A Special Resolution

The General Assembly of the United Nations adopts a resolution (A/RES/68/231) and proclaims 2016 as the International Year of Pulses (I.Y.P.).

2018

A Proposal from Africa

The United Nations proclaims February 10 as World Pulses Day following Burkina Faso’s proposal.

2019

Celebrating Pulses

The first-ever World Pulses Day is celebrated on February 10.

World Pulses Day FAQs

When is World Pulses Day?

In 2027, World Pulses Day will be observed on Wednesday, February 10. It’s a key date for raising awareness about the environmental and health benefits of pulses.

How do pulses contribute to sustainable development?

Beyond their ecological benefits, pulses support food security by providing affordable and nutritious protein, especially in regions facing food scarcity. Their cultivation diversifies agricultural systems, building resilience against climate change and promoting biodiversity.

What are the key nutritional benefits of pulses?

Regular consumption of pulses can reduce the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and certain cancers due to their low glycemic index and antioxidant properties. They are also a valuable source of plant-based protein for vegetarian and vegan diets.

What is the difference between pulses and legumes?

The distinction lies in the harvest: pulses are harvested solely for their dry grain, while other legumes, like green beans or fresh peas, are harvested for their fresh pods or seeds. This makes pulses a storable, nutrient-dense food commodity.

World Pulses Day Activities

Sponsor a pulse-themed event
Anyone from any part of the world can join World Pulses Day by organizing an event focusing on the importance of pulses. Consider organizing a symposium or seminar highlighting the significance of this superfood. Serve pulses at a special dinner with your family, colleagues, or friends. Just be sure your guests aren’t allergic to any of the legumes.
Donate pulses
Do you know of any local food bank or farmhouse that can appreciate a gift of legumes? Donate pulses to them on this day as a way to save the world from hunger and bolster food security.
Share on social media
The U.N. welcomes everyone who loves to share their World Pulses Day celebration with the rest of the world through social media posts. You can join with the hashtags #worldpulsesday and #LovePulses. You can also register your event by sending a direct email to worldpulsesday@globalpulses.com.

5 INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT PULSES

World’s largest producer
India is the largest producer of pulses in the world, producing over 23 million metric tons and accounting for 25% of global production.
Reducing the risk of diseases
Pulses are rich in fermentable fiber and may help reduce the risk of obesity, constipation, and colon cancer.
Side effects of pulse consumption
Pulses contain galactans, which cause bloating and gas, and may sometimes be responsible for stomach discomfort.
Pulses have a low water footprint
Unlike other crops requiring large volumes of water for production, it takes just 43 gallons of water to produce a pound of pulses!
Pulses grown in Africa
The most widely cultivated pulses in Africa include cowpea, common beans, groundnuts, pigeon pea, chickpea, and soybean.

Why We Love World Pulses Day

It highlights the importance of pulses
World Pulses Day emphasizes the immense benefits of pulses. Pulses have a lower carbon footprint and lower water footprint than many other food crops since they only require a small quantity of fertilizer to grow and can adapt to drought. Also, they are easy to store and highly nutritious, and their nitrogen-fixing properties improve soil fertility.
Saving the world from hunger
The U.N. believes that pulses are not only superfoods packed with beneficial nutrients, but they are also instrumental in achieving global food security, improved human health, and soil health. Pulses are also effective in overcoming poverty and malnutrition, especially as they make up about 75% of the average diet in developing countries and can keep for longer without losing their high nutritional composition.
It’s about mitigating climate change
Apart from their high nutritional value, pulses also aid in reducing dependence on synthetic fertilizers. Since pulses can produce nitrogen and other essential minerals naturally, they reduce the emission of greenhouse gases during the manufacturing and application of synthetic fertilizers. This helps to mitigate climate change and promote environment-friendliness.