On February 10, 2025, the celebration of World Pulses Day 2025 by the Smallholder Adaptive Farming and Biodiversity Network (SAFBIN) in Madhya Pradesh exemplifies the global importance of pulses in sustainable agriculture and nutrition security. This event not only highlighted the nutritional benefits of pulses but also their crucial role in promoting biodiversity and sustainable farming practices.

SAFBIN’s initiative to involve over 150 smallholder farmers, including 87 women, in the villages of Chakeri, Mothi, Dhauranala, Surajpura, and Ahmadpur in the Sagar and Mandla districts of Madhya Pradesh underscores the importance of gender inclusivity in agricultural development. By focusing on women farmers, the program addresses the often-overlooked role of women in agriculture and food security.

The exhibition of traditional pulse varieties served a dual purpose of preserving agricultural heritage and promoting nutritional awareness. By showcasing local varieties, SAFBIN contributes to the conservation of agricultural biodiversity, while educating farmers about the nutritional benefits of pulses can lead to improved dietary practices in rural communities. This approach aligns with the global theme of World Pulses Day 2025: “Pulses: Bringing Diversity to Agrifood Systems”, emphasizing the role of pulses in creating more diverse, sustainable, and resilient food systems.

The awareness session on improved cultivation practices highlighted several key aspects of pulse farming, including their climate resilience, contribution to soil health, and role in crop diversification. Pulses’ low water requirement makes them ideal crops for regions facing water scarcity, while their nitrogen-fixing properties contribute to soil fertility, reducing the need for chemical fertilizers. Integrating pulses into farming systems enhances overall farm productivity and resilience, making them a crucial component of sustainable agriculture.

The World Pulses Day programs under the SAFBIN initiative created a dynamic platform for knowledge sharing, capacity building, and community engagement. The active participation of smallholder farmers, especially women, underscored the growing recognition of pulses as a vital component of sustainable agriculture, nutrition, and rural livelihoods. This initiative not only reinforced the importance of pulses but also strengthened SAFBIN’s commitment to supporting smallholder farmers in building resilient and sustainable agricultural practices.

The impact of SAFBIN’s efforts was evident in the testimonial of Mrs. Sumantra Uike, a SHFC Member from Dhauranala Village in Mandla District:
“Through the SAFBIN program, I began cultivating various pulses like chickpea, black gram, pigeon pea, green peas, and lentils. This has reduced my dependence on the market for daily food needs and improved my family’s nutrition. The mixed cropping pattern has also helped mitigate the effects of climate change on our crops. During the World Pulses Day awareness program in my village, I shared my experiences and the benefits of cultivating and consuming pulses regularly. I’m grateful to the SAFBIN program for this opportunity and for encouraging us to grow pulses.”

Mrs. Uike’s story exemplifies how the program has empowered local farmers, particularly women, to adopt sustainable farming practices and improve their families’ nutrition.

By combining traditional knowledge with modern agricultural practices, SAFBIN’s approach to celebrating World Pulses Day demonstrates how local actions can contribute to global goals of food security, nutrition, and sustainable agriculture. This holistic approach not only empowers smallholder farmers but also addresses broader issues of climate change adaptation, biodiversity conservation, and rural development.

As we look towards the future, initiatives like SAFBIN’s World Pulses Day celebration serve as a model for integrating sustainable agriculture practices with community empowerment and nutritional education.