TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations (UN) estimated that around 800 million people continue to experience hunger, and around 20 million of them are living in Indonesia.
The UN added that food insecurity remains a major issue for many people and households in Indonesia, especially people living lives in poor areas, where meat, dairy and fish short in supply. Therefore, in an effort to tackle food insecurity issues, and following resolution 6/2013 of the 38th FAO Conference, the UN 68th General Assembly has declared 2016 as the year of Pulses.
"It is time for us to regain and promote Indonesian richness and diversity through variety of pulse dishes. Pulses are proven effective in boosting nutrition and making healthy food that is accessible for all," said Jiwon Rhee, FAO Associate Professional Officer in FAO Representation in Indonesia on June 2, 2016.
In addition to serving as inexpensive sources of food, Pulses can also help the poor to increase their income. Small farmers can grow pulses and sell them to markets, or process them into other products.
Pulses are important food crops and offer significant nutritional and health advantages due to their high protein and essential amino acid content as well as being a source of complex carbohydrates and several vitamins and minerals.
The proposal to declare 2016 as the International Year of Pulses (IYP) was initially submitted by Pakistan and Turkey. Both countries believe that pulses play a major role in addressing the future global food security and environmental challenges as well as contribute to balanced and healthy diets.
MAHINDA ARKYASA
