Pulses fair at UEM

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in partnership with the Eduardo Mondlane University, the Agricultural Research Institute of Mozambique (IIAM), the Technical Secretariat for Food Security and Nutrition (SETSAN) with support from Austrian Cooperation held last Thursday a seminar and a fair on pulses in Maputo City.


The event brought together different actors involved in agriculture, including Government institutions, NGO's, members of academy and agricultural research, public and private sectors and students of that university.
The year 2016 was declared International Year of Pulses by the 68th UN General Assembly aiming to increase public awareness for nutritional benefits of pulses through the sustainable food production intended for food safety and nutrition.


Opening the seminar, the FAO Representative in Mozambique, Castro Camarada emphasized the fact that "pulses have a high efficiency in the use of water, great biodiversity and also contribute to the reduction of climate changes. Considering the challenges to food insecurity in Mozambique this is a type of crops that can make a big difference" he said.


The seminar consisted of presentations of topics related to the production of pulses and marketing and processing challenges, including case studies at the level of some provinces, with greater emphasis on common beans and pigeon peas.


The Representative of the Austrian Cooperation, Eva Kohl said that "pulses constitute an important source of income for farmers and this workshop will promote debate and sensitize partners involved in agriculture, food and nutritional security, enhance the nutritional benefits of pulses as part of a sustainable food system".


The event also served as an exchange between the various institutions related to agriculture and students of agronomy at Eduardo Mondlane University.


During the fair, various products made from pulses including local dishes of Maputo province were exhibited.