FAO Regional Conference for Europe (ERC)

The 68th UN General Assembly declared 2016 as the International Year of Pulses (IYP) (A/RES/68/231) and nominated FAO to facilitate its implementation in collaboration with governments, relevant organizations, non-governmental organizations and other relevant stakeholders. The background paper will present the activities related to heightening awareness of nutritional benefits of pulses at the country level as part of sustainable food production and consumption aimed towards food security and nutrition, healthy and balanced diets. Besides nutritional benefits, pulses have extended seasonal availability and are very beneficial for soils for nitrogen enrichment, which makes pulses an attractive crop and good contributor to food and nutrition security and environment protection. Promotion of pulses production and consumption can play a significant role in linking policies and investments that integrate agriculture with improved health and nutrition. The sustainable and diversified production and consumption of pulses in the region of Europe and Central Asia may be increased through a set of nutrition-sensitive policies, programmes and actions, addressing raising awareness and knowledge on nutritional virtues and environmental benefits of pulses, as well as increasing quality, availability and access to improved seeds of a broad range of varieties and cultivars of pulses. Pulses have a high potential to contribute to sustainable development through contributions to inclusive economic growth, improved nutritional status and food security of vulnerable people, and environment protection.