Role of Pulses in Human Nutrition and Sustainable Agriculture Highlighted on International Pulses Day

An awareness programme at Warangal on Tuesday to mark the International Pulses Day featured a talk on the essential role of pulses in human nutrition, soil health, and sustainable agriculture.

The Regional Agricultural Research Station (RARS) and Telangana Rythu Vigyan Kendra (RVK), Warangla, the two major organisers of the event, brought together agricultural scientists, farmers, and students. They also stressed the importance of pulse cultivation as India's food systems.

1. Uma Reddy, Associate Director of Research, Central Telangana Zone, pulsed plants being an important source of essential nutrients and a major source of plant protein in Indian diets. R. Uma Reddy, Associate Director of Research, Central Telangana Zone, also said that pulses not only add flavor and nutrition to meals, but that the pulse crop also improves soil fertility. She said that through biological nitrogen fixation, pulses can naturally fix nitrogen in the soil and therefore their role in sustainable farming is significant.

Uma Reddy also showed anxiety about the diminishing area of pulse farming in the country. She cautioned that if farmers kept lowering the area for pulses production, the country would have to rely on imports to satisfy the domestic demand, even though India is among the largest producers and consumers of pulses in the world.

In his speech, without repeating what had already been said, A. Vijaya Bhaskar, Coordinator of RVK Warangal, identified pulses as the main support of sustainable agro, food systems and thus agro, pulse systems. He explained that pulses are a major source of soil health which is a direct consequence of their ability to reduce the dependence on chemical fertilisers and promote climate, resilient agricultural practices. Pulses are at once the food of soil and the food of man. They are hence essential to the greening of the earth and to the good health of its inhabitants, A. Vijaya Bhaskar mentioned.

During the International Pulses Day, working with frameworks farmers that produced record pulses yields were honoured for their great contribution to sustainable agriculture. Moreover, different kinds of pulses were cooked in a contest to display the nutritional and culinary potential of pulses. Participating students in the event were awarded certificates.

Top agricultural scientists in a discussion with local farmers, showed the farmers new pulse varieties, the best seeds, and modern cultivation techniques that will help to increase productivity and income.

Highlighting the social responsibility element of the event, the organisers gave pulses to the orphans and the less fortunate families, thus emphasizing the role of pulses in food and nutritional security.