Mention the advantages of the cultivation of pulses because of which the year 2016 was declared as the…

Question

Mention the advantages of the cultivation of pulses because of which the year 2016 was declared as the International Year of Pulses by the United Nations.

Ghissu Editorial · Accepted Answer

The UN declared 2016 the International Year of Pulses because pulses give cheap protein and nutrition while fixing soil nitrogen, saving water and diversifying farms. Pulses carry roughly 20-25% protein, about twice that of wheat.

**Introduction**

The UN declared 2016 the International Year of Pulses, with the FAO as lead agency, under the theme "Nutritious seeds for a sustainable future", because pulses serve nutrition and climate goals at once. India is the world's largest producer, consumer and importer of pulses.

**Nutrition and Food Security Advantages**

1. **Cheap protein**: Pulses carry roughly 20-25% protein, about twice that of wheat, vital where NFHS-5 (2019-21) found 35.5% of children under five stunted.
2. **Health benefits**: Fibre, iron, folate and a low glycaemic index help against anaemia, diabetes and heart disease, and pulses are naturally gluten-free.
3. **Complete meals and storage**: With cereals, as in dal-chawal or khichdi, they supply the lysine cereals lack, and dry grains store for months without refrigeration, cutting food loss in lean seasons.

**Ecological and Farming Advantages**

SKETCH: flow | Pulses and Soil Nitrogen
- Rhizobium root nodules
- Atmospheric nitrogen fixed
- Less urea needed
- Lower emissions
- Richer soil

1. **Natural fertiliser**: Legumes fix their own nitrogen and leave some for the next cereal, so rotations like rice-lentil lift whole-system yields.
2. **Water thrift**: Chickpea and pigeon pea need far less water than rice or sugarcane and grow on residual moisture in rainfed drylands, which suits climate adaptation.
3. **Diversification**: Short-duration pulses fit intercropping and break the pest and disease cycles of cereal monocultures, spreading the farmer's risk.

**Conclusion**

Pulses link SDG 2 on ending hunger with soil and climate goals, which is why the UN added World Pulses Day on 10 February from 2019. India's Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses (Budget 2025-26) seeks to turn these advantages into self-reliance.

Mention the advantages of the cultivation of pulses because of which the year 2016 was declared as the International Year of Pulses by the United Nations.

Model answer

Practise this question

Resources and planning38 questions

Ghissu