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This article was written by a student in Indonesia who attended the Science Fair event put on by FAO Indonesia. 

When I first heard about the worldwide International Year of Pulses, it was through school- it had been announced through our homeroom class where our teachers told us about it. 

Before that, I didn’t even know there was such a thing. The first time I was informed about this event, to be most honest, I didn’t grow any interest in it, probably because I didn’t even really understand what it was all about. In the beginning, I didn’t get anything, I wasn’t sure about the whole idea of the event, why they hold it, its purpose and everything. 

Then came the day of our school’s science fair where people from the FAO came and held a session explaining us furthermore about this whole event and its backstory, it was all a short summary, but it definitely expanded my knowledge and answered all the confusions I had about this event. I then understood why this event is even held and the importance of it, its purpose and main goal. 

What I can say about my thoughts on this event, is actually quite a lot- how can I say this? I was quite heart warmed that there are good people out there actually doing this, putting so much effort and thought for a good cause; to end world hunger, end poverty, etc. I know those previously stated things are something really hard to achieve, in fact almost impossible, but knowing that there’s an organization out there and a bunch of people striving to do this, it amazes me, and I really think this event and its whole idea and effort deserves a big applause.

I also think this whole event that was held really raises my awareness as an individual, especially after I watched the video that the FAO played for us, raise awareness as in it made me so informed about what advantages pulses can do for us actually, I was very stunned that such small beans can do such a big thing for this world.  

I find it cool that pulses can help the economy and help ourselves- its all connected one way or another and a win-win solution, that we can change the world by doing very simple things, consuming pulses give such great advantage to our personal health and helps us in our daily lives, and as we do that- we are also helping our society, and I think that’s incredible. I know a lot of acts and organizations that bluff about ending world hunger and stuff along the line, but rarely do I find those who actually make their goals and promises real and put so much effort into it- which is why I’m very amused by what the FAO is doing, they are not only thinking about how it would benefit other people, but ourselves- people often don’t have much interest to contribute in these things because it doesn’t give them any benefits, but through this event I have learned what kind of personal advantage I can gain from contributing.

This whole event also gives me hope, that ongoing problems in this world could be put to a stop- or at least decrease, little by little- I’m sure change is still change. 

Overall, I’m just very amused by this event and I had a great experience- I’m also truly grateful I got the opportunity to know about this and that the FAO visited my school. 

I’d like to end this with a quote summarizing what I had to say before, Nelson Mandala once said “We can change the world and make it a better place. It is in your hands to make a difference”

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Les Premières Rencontres Francophones sur les Légumineuses se sont tenues, en France,  à Dijon, les 31 mai et 1er juin 2016.

Cette manifestation faisant partie des événements officiels célébrant l’Année Internationale des Légumineuses (#AIL2016) était organisée par l'INRA, le CIRAD, Terres Univia et Terres Inovia avec le soutien de collectivités et d’opérateurs du domaine. Les rencontres ont rencontré un vif succès auprès des acteurs de l’ensemble de la filière: de l’amont de la production à l’aval de l’utilisation. Pas moins de 270 scientifiques, experts, agriculteurs et professionnels sont venus échanger sur les dernières avancées de la R&D sur les légumineuses à graines et fourragères et mettre en lumière leurs caractéristiques pour l’agriculture, pour notre assiette mais aussi pour la terre.

Depuis la sélection des plantes jusqu’à leur valorisation en alimentation humaine et animale, en passant par leurs atouts agronomiques à renforcer dans les systèmes de culture, les RFL1 ont réussi à aborder de nombreuses thématiques clés de la filière et mettre en exergue ses enjeux stratégiques. 

Des conférences plénières, des rendez-vous d’affaires,  ou encore des sessions informelles, sont venus nourrir des échanges constructifs pour l’avenir de la filière.  

 

Quelle promotion politico-économique des productions ? Quid de l’efficience des symbioses dans les systèmes de production ? Qu’en est-il des améliorations quantitatives et qualitatives des productions ? De l’amélioration des produits par les technologies et la génétique ? Quelle diversité de digestibilité de valeur nutritionnelle chez les graines ?  Qu’en est-il des ressources génétiques mondiales et de la sélection variétale ? Comment promouvoir la durabilité de ces grandes cultures ? Quelle est la place des légumineuses fourragères dans les systèmes d’élevage ? Quels sont les services éco-systémiques non alimentaires de ces plantes ? Où en sont les innovations sociotechniques en alimentation humaine ? Quels bénéfices nutritionnels et santé pour le consommateur ? … Un beau programme pour deux journées qui contribueront au développement de cette belle filière qui reçoit enfin l’attention qu’elle mérite dans le monde et en France! Les RFL #2 sont envisagées à l’échéance 2018-19 !

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The Republic of Turkey has launched an official website for IYP2016 in order to raise awareness of benefits of pulses and to increase the recognition of IYP 2016. The web address of the English version can be found here.

The website aims to share information on the benefits of pulses, the latest news and events about IYP2016 both in Turkish and English. A concept cookbook “Recipes with pulses” has also been prepared and published on the website. 

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A cooking cooking class focused on the International Year of Pulses was held at the Kilkenny Primary School in South Australia, Australia on Wednesday June 8th.

After a full school assembly featuring presentations on  International Year of Pulse and World Oceans day, the Year seven students adjourned to the kitchen where they prepared  five different pulse based dishes under the watchful eye of celebrity chefs including Cheong Liew.

Once the cooking was over everyone shared the delicious dishes.

Mr Christopher Woodthorpe , Director , United Nations Information Centre, Canberra  was in attendance and very happy with the activity.

Kilkenny Primary School has been the venue for a number of United Nations events in recent years.

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Singapore Pulses Federation Limited registered on 22nd April 2016. They represent traders and exporters of pulses in Singapore. SPFL endeavours to develop markets for the members and assist to grow businesses. SPFL also believe in nurturing human health and nutrition. They propose to progress by building relationships with other industries, with support from government and other pulses associations across the world. The board of directors are esteemed businessmen who bring skills and knowledge from many areas which benefit the members & the industry. 

Our Mission
To effectively increase and improve productivity across all sectors of the industry by planning combined and innovative solutions. 

Our Vision
To expand the activities and pioneer efforts for the development of the pulse industry in local and international markets.  

Our Values 
Strategic planning based on international markets to increase financial success of our members. We respect the views of individual members and work towards the benefit of the industry. 

Board of Directors: 

  • Chairman : Rajan Bagaria, Arvee International Pte Ltd
  • Secretary : Puneet Jain – Vintel Exports (S) Pte Ltd 
  • Treasurer : Ritesh Bansal –  Kams Singapore Pte Ltd 

Non-Executive Directors:

  • Vijay Iyengar - Agrocorp International Pte Ltd     
  • Anil Jhunjhunwala – Sudima International Pte Ltd             
  • Guru Prasad Rao – Edelweiss International (S)Pte Ltd 
  • Sunil Patwari – Seasons Overseas Pte Ltd             
  • Ashish Todi – Frost Global Pte Ltd 
  • Pravin Kumar Jain – Valency International Trading Pte Ltd 
  • Naresh Dinodiya – P L Global Impex Pte Ltd 

Follow them on Facebook. 
Email contact - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  

SPFL at GPC - SPFL board of directors at Global Pulses Convention in Turkey in 2016. 

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Pulses are praised for their health, environmental and economic benefits. How can their full potential be tapped?

In order to make the International Year of Pulses truly inclusive and to gather as much information as possible on the use of these remarkable plants, we would like to invite you to contribute your experience and knowledge, in particular around the following questions:

  • Some countries produce large amounts of pulses, but these are not a part of their respective diets. How can the use of pulses be increased in communities where these crops do not play an important role in the local cuisine/traditional meals?
  • Do you have any examples on how the consumption of pulses contributes to household food security and nutrition in your community or country, which may be useful in different contexts?
  • What are the main challenges that farmers in your country face with regard to the production of pulses? How should these be addressed?
  • Are you aware of any research or studies on the role of pulses in climate change adaptation or mitigation? Please share them with us.
  • The International Year of Pulses also includes a call for recipes to provide ideas and inspiration on how to consume these nutritious seeds. Would you like to share yours?

Your suggestions, case studies and references will be used to produce fact sheets and briefs to circulate at events and initiatives carried out at regional and country levels during the International Year of Pulses.

Learn more on the FSNForum webpage.