Foro Global sobre Seguridad Alimentaria y Nutrición (Foro FSN)

Professor Kadambot Siddique

UN FAO Special Ambassador, International Year of the Pulses, The University of Western Australia
Australia

Pulses offer a food-based solution to decreasing risk of certain diseases such as pre-diabetes and diabetes management as well as diabetes-associated complications, especially cardiovascular disease. Since diabetes is a major risk factor for several cancers and neurodegeneration, the future health of ageing populations may be dependent on a food system that provides pulses in an affordable, palatable and sustainable way. Most benefits from pulses are achieved at an intake of about 30 g per day, but lesser amounts are also beneficial.

Global demand for pulses is increasing. Around 70 million tonnes of pulses were consumed in 2011-13 period compared to 42 million tonnes in 1980-81. In developing countries more than 80% of the pulses are consumed as food; however in developed countries <40% as food. However per capita consumption of pulses declined from 10 kg in 1961 to 6.5 kg in 2011. Easy to cook high quality branded pulse products are required to promote and increase the consumption of pulses especially among city based consumers.

Nutritional and health befits can be promoted to address malnutrition and several non-communicable diseases. Government and nutrition experts must develop policies and strategies to enhance the consumption of pulses both in developing and developed countries. Urgent investment in research, development and extension is required to enhance pulse production, improving value chain, enhancing nutritional properties and overall consumption of pulses.