Pulses are among the earliest crops to be consumed by mankind. Research shows that cultures that have pulses at the centre of their menus have a relatively longer and healthier lifespan.
Pulses come with many advantages to human nutrition and the environment. Unfortunately, their uptake remains low even as malnutrition continues to increase with the advent of climate change. This has been blamed on lack of awareness of the benefits of pulses
In an effort to promote the production and consumption of pulses; 2016 was declared the International Year of Pulses by the United Nations in addition to World Pulse Day celebrated every February 10, with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations taking the lead.
Kenya and the region are currently experiencing a prolonged drought that has negatively impacted food security, subsequently increasing cases of malnutrition. It is also a time when many lifestyle diseases and conditions emanating from poor diets are claiming lives. Yet this group of seed crops can offer a solution that many are yet to espouse.
Pulses are a group of nutritious superfoods with a long shelf life, are easy to cook and provide an affordable source of plant protein. Pulses are high in fibre, low in fat and contain no cholesterol. They are also rich in vitamins and minerals.
Having a good stock of pulses during an emergency ensures a constant source of protein when households cannot access animal source proteins. They include dried seeds of leguminous crops like green grams, beans, cowpeas seeds, pigeon peas, lentils, chickpeas and dry peas, among others which produce edible seeds that come encapsulated in pods.
Pulses are a good vehicle for mineral biofortification. Research institutions in Kenya have provided a variety of iron and zinc-rich beans, which present a good opportunity to eradicate micronutrient deficiencies.
The burden of lifestyle diseases is currently on the rise. Pulses can come in handy to deliver a healthy and curative diet. Pulses are low in fat and very rich in fibre and thus have the benefit of lowering cholesterol and subsequently control blood sugar. They are, therefore, of great benefit to people living with diabetes, obesity and heart conditions.
Pulses not only help humanity, but they are also a great help to our environment and especially our degraded soils. Unlike other cereals, pulses fix nitrogen into soils. Agricultural extension agents have promoted their intercropping alongside other crops for this symbiotic relationship.
Pulses therefore not only improve soil fertility and increase agricultural productivity but also add to diversity in diets. This ability to fix nitrogen further lowers the need for inorganic fertilisers. Growing pulses also sequesters carbon, and this contributes towards lowering greenhouse gas emissions.
For sustainable agrifood systems, FAO’s current Strategic Framework is anchored on the Four Betters – Better Production, Better Nutrition, a Better Environment and a Better Life. Pulses fit in Better Production by fertilising our soils, they contribute to Better Nutrition in their richness, a Better Environment in the reduction of the carbon footprint and contribute to Better Life by their monetary worth.
Flowery as the pulses literature look; it is unfortunate to note that these miracle plants are yet to secure their niche in the flora hierarchy. At the consumer level, many pulses are still underutilised despite their nutritional value.
Pulses are yet to attract enough research to further uncover their utility. Good policies around pulses might have come as a solution but they too are lacking. These are issues to ponder as we promote the production and consumption of pulses.
In 2021 the world participated in the food systems dialogues that culminated in a global Food Systems Summit. This was a campaign that sought to bring all the actors in food systems onto a table to discuss the “menu” that is our food.
Among the deliberations was the glaring need for everyone to contribute towards sustainable transformation of agri-food systems from an economic, social and environmental perspective. Pulses perfectly fit into this jigsaw.
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations Kenya Representative
