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World Pulses Day 2025 highlights the role of pulses in food security and sustainability. Join the global observance of World Pulses Day 2025 to support sustainable agriculture and food security.
PWOnlyIAS
February 10, 2025
World Pulses Day is observed every year on February 10 to highlight the significant role of pulses in sustainable food production, nutrition security, and environmental conservation. This international day was established by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) following the success of the International Year of Pulses (IYP) 2016, which was implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
World Pulses Day 2025 will be celebrated under the theme “Pulses: Bringing Diversity to Agrifood Systems.” This theme emphasizes the importance of pulses in cultivating a diverse, resilient, and sustainable food system that benefits both humans and the environment.
| World Pulses Day 2025 Overview | |
| Aspect | Details |
| Event | World Pulses Day 2025 |
| Date | February 10, 2025 |
| Established By | United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) |
| First Observed | February 10, 2019 |
| Theme for 2025 | “Pulses: Bringing Diversity to Agrifood Systems” |
| Purpose | To raise awareness about the nutritional, economic, and environmental benefits of pulses |
| Organized By | Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Governments, NGOs, and Private Sector |
| Importance | Highlights pulses as a sustainable food source for better nutrition and food security |
| Key Benefits of Pulses | High in protein, improves soil health, climate-resilient, affordable nutrition |
| Major Pulse-Producing Countries | India, Myanmar, Canada, China, Brazil, Nigeria |
| Highest Pulse-Producing State in India | Madhya Pradesh (The largest producer of pulses in India) |
| Largest Producer of Pulses in the World | India (Over 25% of global production) |
| Global Initiatives | National Pulses Day celebrations, FAO programs, Government policies |
World Pulses Day 2025 will operate as a platform to promote the benefits of pulses in nutrition, agriculture, and environmental sustainability. The celebration involves governments, farmers, researchers, private organizations, and consumers in supporting increased production and consumption of pulses.
Every year, World Pulses Day is celebrated under a specific theme. The World Pulses Day 2025 theme is expected to emphasize the role of pulses in ensuring sustainable agriculture, reducing malnutrition, and addressing climate change.
The World Pulses Day 2025 theme is “Pulses: Bringing Diversity to Agrifood Systems.” This theme highlights the essential role pulses play in diversifying agricultural food systems, enhancing soil health, and providing sustainable nutrition. It highlights how pulses contribute to food security, improve farm productivity, and support ecological balance by promoting biodiversity.
Pulses are nutrient-rich edible seeds from leguminous plants, including lentils, chickpeas, beans, and peas. They are vital for global food security due to their high protein content, low environmental impact, and ability to improve soil fertility.
India is the largest producer and consumer of pulses in the world, contributing over 25% of global pulses production. India has a rich history of pulse cultivation, and pulses form a staple part of the Indian diet.
The production of pulses in India is concentrated in a few key states, with Madhya Pradesh being the highest producer. Below is a state-wise breakdown of pulses production based on the latest estimates:
| State-wise Pulses Production in India | ||
| State | Pulses Production (Million Tonnes) | Major Pulses Grown |
| Madhya Pradesh | 6.5 | Gram, Tur, Moong |
| Rajasthan | 5.7 | Moong, Moth, Gram |
| Maharashtra | 3.8 | Tur, Gram, Urad |
| Uttar Pradesh | 2.9 | Gram, Pea, Lentil |
| Karnataka | 2.5 | Tur, Moong, Urad |
| Andhra Pradesh | 1.8 | Tur, Gram, Moong |
| Gujarat | 1.6 | Moong, Urad, Gram |
| Chhattisgarh | 1.2 | Gram, Lentil, Pea |
Madhya Pradesh is the highest pulses producing state in India, contributing nearly 30% of the country’s total production. Other major contributors include Rajasthan and Maharashtra.
India’s pulse production has increased significantly over the years, rising from 163.23 lakh tonnes in 2015-16 to 244.93 lakh tonnes in 2023-24.
The Government of India has launched several schemes to enhance pulse production, ensuring food security and reducing import dependency. Some of the major programs include:
Pulse production plays a vital role in global agriculture, providing essential nutrients and contributing to sustainable farming practices. As per the FAO Statistics 2022, pulses were cultivated across 959.68 lakh hectares worldwide, yielding a total production of 973.92 lakh tonnes with an average productivity of 1015 kg/ha.
Pulses are grown in over 170 countries, with Beans (Dry), Chickpeas, Peas (Dry), Pigeon Peas, and Lentils being the major crops. The top contributing crops to global pulse production in 2022 were:
| Global Pulse Production (Crop-Wise) – 2022 | ||||||
| Crop | Area (Lakh ha) | % of Global Area | Production (Lakh Tonnes) | % of Global Production | Yield (kg/ha) | India’s Rank |
| Chickpea | 148.11 | 15% | 180.95 | 19% | 1222 | 1st |
| Pigeonpea | 60.30 | 6% | 53.27 | 5% | 883 | 1st |
| Lentils | 55.04 | 6% | 66.56 | 7% | 1209 | 2nd |
| Peas (Dry) | 71.60 | 7% | 141.66 | 15% | 1979 | 4th* |
| Beans (Dry) | 367.92 | 38% | 283.46 | 29% | 770 | 1st |
| Cowpeas | 151.91 | 16% | 97.75 | 10% | 643 | – |
| Others | 104.80 | 11% | 150.27 | 15% | 1434 | – |
| Total Pulses | 959.68 | 100% | 973.92 | 100% | 1015 | 1st |
India remains the largest producer of pulses, contributing 38% of the global cultivated area and 28% of the world’s total production. However, India’s average productivity (766 kg/ha) is lower than the global average (1015 kg/ha).
| Top Pulse-Producing Countries (2022) | ||||||
| Rank | Country | Area (Lakh ha) | Production (Lakh Tonnes) | Yield (kg/ha) | % Contribution (Area) | % Contribution (Production) |
| 1 | India | 361.11 | 276.69 | 766 | 38% | 28% |
| 2 | Canada | 32.75 | 61.65 | 1882 | 3% | 6% |
| 3 | China | 26.14 | 48.30 | 1848 | 3% | 5% |
| 4 | Russian Federation | 23.08 | 46.07 | 1996 | 2% | 5% |
| 5 | Nigeria | 49.25 | 42.01 | 853 | 5% | 4% |
| 6 | Australia | 23.23 | 41.50 | 1787 | 2% | 4% |
| 7 | Myanmar | 38.09 | 35.84 | 941 | 4% | 4% |
| 8 | Ethiopia | 16.68 | 32.33 | 1938 | 2% | 3% |
| 9 | Niger | 60.33 | 29.63 | 491 | 6% | 3% |
| 10 | Others | 329.02 | 359.91 | 1094 | 34% | 37% |
| World Total | 959.68 | 973.92 | 1015 | 100% | 100% | |
Various organizations, governments, and communities will mark World Pulses Day 2025 with activities such as:
World Pulses Day 2025 is an important occasion to raise awareness about the nutritional, environmental, and economic benefits of pulses. As the largest producer and consumer of pulses, India plays a crucial role in global pulse production. Government initiatives and sustainable farming practices will be essential in ensuring self-sufficiency and food security for future generations.
By understanding the value of World Pulses Day 2025 and incorporating pulses into daily diets that will support sustainable production, we can contribute to a healthier, greener, and more food-secure world.
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