Abuja – The United Nations is set to announce 2016 as ‘International Year of the Pulse (IYP)’ in Rome on Nov. 10.
This is contained in a statement signed by the Media Consultant, Dissident Business Ltd., Mr Charlie Macey, and was made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) online on Monday in Abuja.
The statement noted that Nigeria is the fifth largest pulse producer in the world, producing over three million tonnes in 2013.
NAN reports that pulse sometimes called a “grain legume,” and it is an annual crop yielding from one to twelve seeds of variable size, shape and color within a pod.
NAN also reports that pulses are used as food for humans and other animals; it included dry beans like pinto beans, kidney beans and navy beans; dry peas; lentils among others.
“The International Year of the Pulse will be launched by the UN on Tuesday in Rome.
“Nigeria is the fifth largest producer of pulses in the world and the campaign looks to boost agricultural production by 10 per cent over a year period in Nigeria.
“This will provide a sustainable source of food security and farmers with a sustained income over a period of time,’’ the statement added.
According to the statement, there would be two Global Pulse Confederation spokespersons from Nigeria available to speak on the launch-Gordon Bacon and Praveen Donga.
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It explained that the IYP campaign seeks to boost production and consumption by 10 per cent by 2020.
It added that a study in West Africa showed that pulses often have higher market prices than cereal crops.
The statement stated that low productivity through smallholder farmers in Nigeria represents an important impediment in making pulses a valuable source of additional income. (NAN)