Five things we learned from the launch of the International Year of Pulses
The official launch of the
International Year of Pulses took place on 10 November at FAO
Headquarters in Rome. With over 200 participants and many more viewers
worldwide, the event welcomed high level attendance from government
ministries, civil society and the private sector. The speakers and
special guests highlighted the many benefits of pulses, and also brought
to light some of the obstacles facing the global production, supply and
trade of the crops.
Here are five key facts we learned about pulses from the featured guests and speakers during the launch:
1. Pulses are an indispensable crop for vulnerable communities in developing countries.
In developing countries, pulses make up 75 percent of the average
diet, compared to 25 percent in industrialized countries. They provide
an affordable alternative to animal protein: pulses contain 20 to 25
percent protein by weight, whereas wheat has 10 percent and meat has 30
to 40 percent. Pulses are an increasingly important crop for smallholder
farmers, particularly female farmers who hold a larger share in the
labour force in pulses farming.
2. Lentils, beans and chickpeas have been an essential part of human diets for centuries.
Archaeological remains found in Anatolia (modern day Turkey) show
that ancient agricultural production of chickpeas and lentils dates back
to 7000 - 8000 B.C. Today, wild relatives of lentils and peas are still
seen in the southeast Anatolian region, and samples have been collected
and protected in Turkey’s gene banks.
Although world pulses production has increased by over 20 percent in
the past 10 years, consumption has seen a slow but steady decline in
both developed and developing countries in the same period. This may be
partially due to an inability for pulses production to keep pace with a
growing population, as well as a shift in many countries to more
meat-centric diets.
4. Science and technology innovations can help close the yield gap in pulses production.
Crop genetic improvement, selective breeding and sustainable
intensive farming have been proven to increase yield potential and
climate resilience in pulses. Improved varieties of heat-tolerant faba
beans in Sudan helped increase production by 60 kilograms per hectare.
In Turkey, the specially developed Gokce variety of chickpea withstood
severe drought and produced when most other crops failed.
5. Pulses production is highly water efficient, especially when compared to other protein sources.
Production of daal (split peas or lentils) requires 50 litres of
water per kilogram. Conversely, one kilogram of chicken requires 4325
litres of water, one kilogram of mutton requires 5520 litres, and one
kilogram of beef requires 13000 litres of water during production. Their
small water footprint makes pulses production a smart choice in drier
areas and regions prone to drought.
For a full recap of the event, read the press release and check out the Storify below.
International Year of Pulses (IYP) 2016 (Correction).
ReplyDeleteThe 68th UN General Assembly declared 2016 the International Year of Pulses (IYP) as nations assemble UNNY to ratify “stopping temperature rising 2 degrees, without a global plan!
Background
Leaders of nations 2015 during the UN international Year of Soil IYS) reported they had but 10-50 more years of soil left to grow food, then deserts.
• "The multiple roles of soils often go unnoticed. Soils don’t have a voice, and few people speak out for them. They are our silent ally in food production." José Graziano da Silva, FAO Director-General.
• Sustainable soil management is fundamental to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals – many of which reflect the centrality of soils to sustain life, food, and water. Ban Ki-Moon UN Sec General
The IYS closed with no plan to either grow soil, or, lower anthropogenic CO2 build-up.
Paris ratification April 22 UNNY of 195 nations sign to stop global temperature to rise 2 degrees!
IYP Pulses vegetation takes biomass carbon from soil leading to deserts.
Science explanation of the problem, cause, effect, global-solution in1 move!
PROBLEM; 96% of Earth’s vegetation take biomass carbon from the soil not atmosphere. 2-4% of Earth’s vegetation takes CO2 from the atmosphere. Earth is a Bank of stripped life support assets
In the UNNY Paris agreement by a slight amendment “Sink CO2 to soil-carbon” lowers temperature. CAUSE; However; 2016 (IYP) quote Pulses are good for people, and are good for soils is an error! Pulses are mostly of the 96% of Earths food supply vegetation like trees rice cotton most grain vegetables grasses take biomass carbon from the soil not atmosphere.
EFFECT; If the world rushes to grow more Pulses and C3 pathway foods the FAO Director General prediction will be a reality no soil no food.
SOLUTION; Add to the IYP the protocol to grow soil in “concert with growing food”. MOTHER NATURE established the protocol following mass global volcanic eruption many times! Remember ancient ruins covered with 2-5 metres of soil Mother Nature at her best! Soil grows!
BENEFITS: Lower CO2 and temperature; Grow soil in deserts grows sustainable food, reverses drought, poverty, wars.
Established protocol 9 PRC province, Mongolia, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YbI8YZmBP8g
Robert Vincin “speaking out for soils- and the Historians of tomorrow”!
International Year of Pulses (IYP) 2016 (Correction).
ReplyDeleteThe 68th UN General Assembly declared 2016 the International Year of Pulses (IYP) as nations assemble UNNY to ratify “stopping temperature rising 2 degrees, without a global plan!
Background
Leaders of nations 2015 during the UN international Year of Soil IYS) reported they had but 10-50 more years of soil left to grow food, then deserts.
• "The multiple roles of soils often go unnoticed. Soils don’t have a voice, and few people speak out for them. They are our silent ally in food production." José Graziano da Silva, FAO Director-General.
• Sustainable soil management is fundamental to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals – many of which reflect the centrality of soils to sustain life, food, and water. Ban Ki-Moon UN Sec General
The IYS closed with no plan to either grow soil, or, lower anthropogenic CO2 build-up.
Paris ratification April 22 UNNY of 195 nations sign to stop global temperature to rise 2 degrees!
IYP Pulses vegetation takes biomass carbon from soil leading to deserts.
Science explanation of the problem, cause, effect, global-solution in1 move!
PROBLEM; 96% of Earth’s vegetation take biomass carbon from the soil not atmosphere. 2-4% of Earth’s vegetation takes CO2 from the atmosphere. Earth is a Bank of stripped life support assets
In the UNNY Paris agreement by a slight amendment “Sink CO2 to soil-carbon” lowers temperature. CAUSE; However; 2016 (IYP) quote Pulses are good for people, and are good for soils is an error! Pulses are mostly of the 96% of Earths food supply vegetation like trees rice cotton most grain vegetables grasses take biomass carbon from the soil not atmosphere.
EFFECT; If the world rushes to grow more Pulses and C3 pathway foods the FAO Director General prediction will be a reality no soil no food.
SOLUTION; Add to the IYP the protocol to grow soil in “concert with growing food”. MOTHER NATURE established the protocol following mass global volcanic eruption many times! Remember ancient ruins covered with 2-5 metres of soil Mother Nature at her best! Soil grows!
BENEFITS: Lower CO2 and temperature; Grow soil in deserts grows sustainable food, reverses drought, poverty, wars.
Established protocol 9 PRC province, Mongolia, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YbI8YZmBP8g
Robert Vincin “speaking out for soils- and the Historians of tomorrow”!