In the context of World Pulses Day 2023, the Ministry of Agro-Industry and Food Security in collaboration with the Food and Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (FAREI) organised, on Friday, an exhibition on bean-based products such as flour, burger, crackers, and energy bar at the esplanade of the Renganaden Seeneevassen Building in Port Louis an. A booklet on the production of quality bean seeds was also launched.
The Attorney General and Minister of Agro Industry and Food Security, Mr Maneesh Gobin, the Ambassador of the European Union (EU) to the Republic of Mauritius and Head of Delegation, Mr Vincent Degert and the Acting Chief Executive Officer of the FAREI, Mrs M. Seenevassen Pillay and other personalities were also present.
Speaking at the event, Minister Gobin highlighted the importance of pulses in Mauritian dishes owing to their nutritious, environmental and economic value as well as their conservation period. In a bid to encourage more local production of pulses, he pointed out that for financial year 2020/2021, the annual importation turned around 12 600 tonnes of pulses amounting to some Rs 420 million.
The Acting CEO of FAREI, for her part, underlined that in line with government policy to enhance the level of self-sufficiency, ensure food and nutrition security and substitute imports, research activities were undertaken on the introduction and evaluation of new bean varieties for pulse production.
“More than 200 bean varieties were introduced from the International Centre for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT)”, she said, adding that the Ferrina variety was found promising in terms of yield, adaptability, and quality of seeds with good consumer acceptance. She also dwelt on the health benefits of pulses comprising fibre, low fat, protein, vitamins, and minerals.
World Pulses Day
In 2019, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 10 February as the World Pulses Day to increase public awareness of the nutritional and environmental benefits of pulses as part of sustainable food production.
World Pulses Day is observed to acknowledge the contribution of pulses to improving soil productivity, increasing the resilience of farming systems. Pulses also provide a better life for farmers in water-scarce environments, as they have a low water footprint and can better tolerate drought and climate-related disasters.
