Pulses are an essential part of the Indian diet. Pulses can be described as the dried, edible seeds of plants belonging to the legume family and come in varied shapes and sizes. The color of Indian pulses varies from yellow, green, brown to black. In India, pulses are used in different ways. They are associated with the name dal which is a very important part of every meal in our country. Pulses belong to the legume family and grow underground, mostly on small farms under various climatic conditions all over India. Legumes include beans, peas and lentils that are highly nutritious and rich sources of vitamins and minerals, as well as protein. The most popular pulses consumed in India include masoor dal, chana dal, moong dal and urad dal. However, there are other types grown locally like beans or rajma which is also a favorite across the country for its unique taste and richness in presence of plant-based protein which is essential for daily intake.
Indian Pulses Industry
The pulses industry is an integral part of the Indian economy. The pulses industry produces about 16 million tons of pulses every year, and this amount is about 25% of the total global production. Apart from being one of the leading producers of pulses, India is also one of the leading consumers of pulses in the world.
The demand for organic food has increased in recent years, which is why there has been a large increase in the production of organic food products. In addition to that, the consumption of proteins has increased by more than 60% over the past 5 years.
Both these factors have contributed to an increase in demand for pulses. This has led to a rise in the price of pulses as well. In fact, the prices have risen by more than 200% over the past 7 months.
Growth in Pulses Exports from India
Despite being a major producer, Indian pulses are actually imported into the country. This is because of their high export prices and their competitiveness in the global market. In fact, India is one of the biggest exporters of pulses in the world. As more and more countries begin to produce pulses at scale, it is becoming increasingly important for producers to focus on exporting them internationally.
Types of Pulses
Pulses are the crops harvested for their dry grain, which is considered as edible seeds. There are several types of pulses, such as lentils, peas, and beans. While they grow in different pods, they have many similarities. The important thing to note is that there are many nutrients found in pulses that are not found in other foods like fruits and vegetables.
In general, legumes (beans) and peanuts (peas) consist of small seeds encased in pods. Pulses generally have a high protein content (around 20-25%) and low fat content (<5%). Legumes also contain significant amounts of carbohydrates (60-70%). Beans, peas, lentils all belong to the same plant family – Leguminosae – and so do peanuts!
Indian Pulses : Different Varieties and their Importance
Pulses in India are an important part of the Indian diet. A pulse is the seed of a legume crop. Legumes grow in pods, and these seeds can be dried to make pulses such as lentils, chickpeas, beans and dried peas. Pulses are rich in protein and other nutrients including zinc and iron.
Pulses also come in a variety of colors, shapes and sizes for every taste preference! There is black lentil which has a smooth texture with a mild earthy flavor; red lentil that is slightly sweeter than the black one; yellow split pea that tastes like potato or sweet corn when cooked; moong dal (small green bean) that has a thin skin and is easy to digest; mung bean (whole green bean) with a crunchier texture than moong dal when cooked; pigeon pea with its nutty flavor; garbanzo beans with more fiber than lentils or peas; kidney beans rich in iron, folate, potassium and magnesium; broad beans rich in folate, potassium and vitamin K; white butter beans which have high levels of calcium along with iron, phosphorus, magnesium and zinc needed for bone health…the list goes on!
The importance of Pulses in the Indian Diet
Pulses are an important part of the Indian diet. They are a good source of protein and other essential nutrients that are needed in our body. Most importantly, they are the major contributor to protein intake in more than 70% of vegetarians. The consumption pattern of pulses has risen over time and it is expected to increase further by 2020.
Pulses have a low glycemic index and thereby help control blood sugar levels; this is especially beneficial for diabetics and people suffering from hypoglycemia.
The production process of pulses causes less pollution compared to other crops like wheat, rice and cereals. This makes it even more beneficial for long term sustainable healthy living.
Final Thoughts
Pulses are life-changing for both the farmers and for the people of India. They provide a good source of protein, and with 130 million tons of pulses produced each year, they are helping to feed millions of citizens. Clearly, pulses are important to the country’s well-being and economy.
This is why it’s so crucial that policies be put in place to help safeguard India’s pulses production. The Indian government appears to be taking steps in this direction, but more needs to be done. Pulses in India have been an important part of Indian agriculture for centuries, and it would be a shame if something as trivial as bad policy decisions were to destroy this long tradition.
These pulses are much important for the dietary requirement of people
The pulses are very important for the dietary requirements of people. The pulses are a major source of protein and have high nutritional value. Pulses are a good source of energy, fiber, minerals and are low in fat. Pulses also contain some amount of iron, zinc and B-vitamins which are essential for the human body. Pulses protect from several diseases such as diabetes, obesity and cardiac problems. They also help to prevent cancer because they contain high amounts of antioxidants.
Blogging is not my day job. Im trying to promote my
business by wanting to write about it. But crap is it ever
difficult. I really do admire your content, and I simply had to comment to
offer you kuddos on wonderful information and content.