United Nations Declares 2016 as “International Year of Pulses”
Moscow, ID (PRWEB) January 09, 2014 -- Pulse crops have captured international attention. In fact, the General Assembly of the United Nations has voted to declare 2016 as the “International Year of Pulses.”
“Pulse” is a term describing the edible seeds of several leguminous plants, such as dry beans, dry peas, lentils and chickpeas.
“These are exciting times for the pulse crop industry, both nationally and internationally,” declared Tim McGreevy, CEO of the American Pulse Association. The APA is a partnership between the USA Dry Pea and Lentil Council and the US Dry Bean Council to promote the health, nutrition and sustainability of pulse crops. “Pulses have been a nutritious part of the international diet for centuries. The United States has only just begun to tap into the healthy benefits of these crops,” McGreevy added.
Pulses have steadily increased in popularity as people around the world recognize their appeal as nutritious, versatile foods that can play an essential part in healthy diets.
“Pulses are destined to play a huge roll in the health and nutrition, food security and environmental sustainability of agriculture in our nation,” explained Cindy Brown, a Wisconsin pulse producer and processor and the Vice President of the International Pulse Trade and Industry Confederation (CICILS/IPTIC). “The fact that the United Nations dedicated a year of celebrating pulses on a global scale should help raise awareness to the potential value of pulses in the United States as well.”
Hakan Bahceci, the President of CICILS/IPTIC conceived the idea of a year dedicated to recognizing the role of pulses in sustainable agriculture and healthy diets. "This is the greatest opportunity in a century to give pulses the attention they deserve. Pulses can help to increase food security for those with shortages and to tackle the increase of diseases linked to lifestyles such as obesity and diabetes,” declared Bahceci.
Bahceci added, "The International Year of Pulses will give pulses additional research attention and nutritional programming, which will lead to dietary uptake. Increased pulse consumption will grow both healthy people and a healthy planet. We deeply appreciate the United Nation's dedication to the task."
Video available at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oFCjcFvch48.
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Tim McGreevy, CEO, American Pulse Association, http://www.pea-lentil.com, +1 208-882-3023, [email protected]
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