Pulses as you may know are the edible dried seeds of plants in the legume family, such as peas, beans, chickpeas and lentils. Our flagship company EMCO International, founded by my father, has been trading in agro-commodities for over 3 decades and is active in the Global Pulse Federation of which I am the Executive Vice-President. 

So, on account of World Food Day, 16th October 2023, I would like to highlight the benefits of a pulse-rich diet.  

Nutrient-rich food  

Packed with nutrients and minerals, pulses are a smart food choice. They are high in protein compared to plant-based foods such as rice, corn or wheat. Rich in folate, potassium, iron, zinc, and dietary fibre their consumption is known to reduce risks of cancer, diabetes, heart ailments and other cardiovascular diseases. Pulses are also low in fat and sodium and being Gluten free they are an ideal option for coeliacs.  

Aid in weight management  

Eating a variety of pulses provides you with high-quality protein and fibre which is essential for weight management. As the carbohydrates in pulses take longer to break down, they leave you feeling full longer and provide long-lasting energy. Daily pulse consumption also increases good gut bacteria and boosts health.  

Water-efficient crop  

Pulses are a water-efficient source of protein which uses only 1/2 to I/10 of the water that it takes to produce other sources of protein. Having a small water footprint, they better tolerate drought and climate emergencies compared to other food crops. Diverse types of pulses can be easily grown in varied regions, whether hot or cold, wet or dry climates. As the crop adapts well to climate changes, they create less burden for farmers.  

Good for the soil  

Just as pulses are good for humans, they are good for the land. Pulses improve soil fertility through atmospheric nitrogen fixation and contribute to reducing the effects of climate shocks such as droughts or strong rainfall. Their cultivation also produces different compounds that feed microorganisms in the ground. This process thus improves soil health and benefits other crops that grow in rotation with pulses.  

Good for the planet  

By 2050 farmers need to feed 10 billion people while leaving the smallest footprint ever. Greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture come, largely, from nitrogen fertilizers.  

Pulses require little or no nitrogen fertilizer because they react with soil bacteria to convert nitrogen in the air into fertilizer for growth. Thus, having a low carbon footprint, farmers can grow nutrient-rich food while reducing environmental impact.  Another plus point is that pulses can be stored for a long time due to their long shelf-life, thus reducing food loss and waste. 

For pulses to play a key role in sustainability, the global community must raise their consumption of pulses.  To know how to increase consumption check out this article. I hope that pulses will be a major topic of discussion during the COP28 Conference in Dubai next month. 

Atheeqe Ansari, Executive Vice President of the Global Pulse Confederation (GPC) and Director of EMCO International 

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Upon reaching the outskirts of Jaipur, the team visited the town of Bassi. Mr. Vishnu, the Bassi Mandi President, oriented them on how the Mandi Market operates. Mr. Vishnu arranged a live demo of how auctions take place, which is as follows:  

Mandi Visit  

A farmer arrives at the Mandi early in the morning with the produce and informs the agent (appointed by the mandi) of the quantity and quality of produce he has brought. One or two bags of the produce as a sample are turned over on the ground and the agent starts auctioning as per the price informed by the farmer. Once bidding is done and the price is confirmed to the highest bidder, the farmer still has full authority to reject the price until he delivers the cargo.  

As majority of the farmers live in remote areas, they are paid by cash to buy essential foods they need before returning to their villages or else they take diesel as another form of payment. It all depends on the relationship between the buyer and the farmer.  

For your information: 

• Small-sized desi chickpeas were traded in the Bassi Mandi at 55 Rs per Kg, and they had weevil holes of about 0.50% being an old crop. 
• Due to a shortage in the local market, desi prices increased by 600 Rs per Kg, and many farmers were not willing to sell. 
• Good quality desi chickpeas were traded in Bikaner at 61 Rs per Kg. 

Farm Visit 

The team next headed on a farm visit in Bassi that mainly grows green peas, chickpeas, tomatoes, onions and leafy greens over 23 hectares (56 acres). As per the government, this is considered a large farmland as it is 10 hectares and above. The farm grows the following crops: 

 – 55% – Green Whole Peas (The most lucrative crop)  

– 15% – Desi Chickpeas 

– 20% – Wheat  

– 5-6% – Tomatoes  

– 4-5% – Onions and leafy greens 

Members were briefed on crop irrigation, crop rotation and turnaround time for harvesting each crop. 

Green Peas – Once seeded, green peas give three crop yields throughout the year. After the third crop yield, the plants are removed and sold for animal feed and are totally wiped out. The land is left barren so that the soil can absorb natural moisture. It is then irrigated to either cultivate the same crop or grow along with peanuts, guar and wheat. 

As green peas farms give rise to several pods of peas that can be eaten raw, a lot of these fresh green peas go to the freezing industry, where the drying process is done. Interestingly the frozen green peas business is increasing tremendously due to the preservation of nutrients through this process.  

Desi Chickpeas – The seeding is done after the rains. As it is a rabi crop it is harvested within two –three months. After the harvest is done, peanuts will be planted in the soil. 

Tomatoes – Though the weather conditions aren’t ideal in Rajasthan for growing tomatoes, a new Israeli-adopted drip irrigation system is successfully helping the growth of this crop.  

In summary, the crop tour to Jaipur was informative and interesting where our team learnt about the irrigation system, crop rotation and turnaround time for harvesting. We profusely thank NAFED for organizing the trip and we look forward to the upcoming ones. 

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