Opinion: Pulses will be integral to building a sustainable food system

The value pulses bring to food systems has traditionally been overlooked, but as we work towards a more sustainable future, pulses could be a key tool in mitigating many of the problems facing global populations.

With the world facing steadily rising rates of hunger caused by the climate disaster, the war in Ukraine, the cost-of-living crisis and the lingering effects of Covid-19, the importance of stable food sources has come to the fore.

Affordable, nutritious, versatile and environmentally friendly, pulses are key to achieving sustainable food systems that can provide for all. They are increasingly being included in global conversations around food security and the climate crisis, with projects such as the SDG2 Advocacy Hub’s ‘Beans is How’ and the UN FAO’s World Pulses Day on 10 February championing the value of pulses.

Yet there is still a long way to go. When it comes to investment, research and development, and education, pulses are far behind other commodities. And with the current high prices of corn, wheat and canola caused by the war in Ukraine, farmers are growing less pulses. Both bean and chickpea acres in the US – a top pulse-producing country – declined in 2022/23. Tight supplies are causing higher prices, meaning those in developing nations who are rocked by extreme weather events and economic pressures cannot access this highly nutritious source of protein.

The global population is predicted to reach 9.8 billion by 2050. This, combined with the ongoing challenges posed to our agrifood systems by climate change, shipping and logistical issues, and the current fertiliser crisis, means our food systems are not equipped to feed the world. It is vital that we increase the consumption and production of pulses across the globe as a first step towards improving food security. The climate crisis means populations in emerging nations are often one weather disaster away from starvation, while geopolitical issues prohibit free and open trade, depriving those most in need of healthy, affordable food.

Among the thousands of different varieties, there is a pulse for every climate and soil type. Meanwhile, developments in gene editing and protein extraction are supercharging pulses’ trajectory in the global arena.

Combined with grains, pulses represent a complete protein source and contain all the necessary amino acids the body needs. They are rich in micronutrients and fibre and have a long shelf-life, making them a reliable source of protein for populations across all income brackets.

The production of pulses also generates less greenhouse gas emissions and uses less water than the farming of livestock and soybeans; pulses are nitrogen-fixing crops, meaning they leave the soil they are grown in healthier and more fertile for other crops in the rotation. In short, they are a key tool in achieving many of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

When pulses are integrated into food systems, everybody benefits. Food systems that provide nutritious, sustainable, affordable food have the power to transform societies. Women and girls are typically more adversely affected by the consequences of food insecurity, poverty and malnutrition, but when they have food systems that provide for them, they are more likely to go to school, increase their opportunities and benefit from improved social mobility.

Slowly but surely, pulses are gaining ground in the development of more sustainable food systems. In the UK, supermarket giant Tesco recently announced a bid to triple fava bean production, recognising the pulse’s nutritional content and ability to improve soil health, while Canada has a similar initiative for lupin beans.

Nutritionists, climate experts and economists across the globe are hailing the benefits of consuming more pulses to mitigate the problems facing our planet. However, increased awareness is integral at all levels, from consumer to agribusiness to governmental. It is essential to ensure everyone knows that, armed with the power of pulses, we can and will build a sustainable future.