Celebrations of World Pulses Day 2025

On and around 10 February 2025, governments, civil society organizations, schools, pulse industry organizations, producers, and researchers worldwide celebrated World Pulses Day 2025, recognizing the crucial role of pulses in sustainable agriculture, food security, and nutrition. The Peruvian Ministry of Agricultural Development and Irrigation hosted the FAO global celebration this year with an official ceremony, display of pulse-based products and dishes, and an interactive technical dialogue. 

Here's an overview of some of the events that were held to commemorate the international day.

National cooking contest on pulse-based dishes – Spain 

Juanjo Pérez, Yolanda León, Roberto Brasero, María González, Luis Cepeda, Teodardo Calles (from left to right) at the inauguration of the second national cooking contest, “DesTAPA las LEGUMBRES”. © Gastronomicom

On 17 February 2025, the inauguration of the second national cooking contest, “DesTAPA las LEGUMBRES” (Unlock the Pulses), took place. Organized by Luis Cepeda, Spanish Gastronomy Award winner, the event was sponsored by the Castile and León Department of Agriculture, Livestock, and Rural Development. Chefs from across the country were invited to showcase their unique take on pulses in tapas (Spanish appetizers). The event featured a total of 1 500 tapas dishes with pulses as the main ingredient and included the participation of renowned chefs; María González Corral, Regional Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, and Rural Development of Castile and León; and the representative of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).

High-level ceremony and pulse tasting - Japan

Snapshot of the opening ceremony of the celebration in Japan.  ©FAO

On 3 February 2025, the Japan Pulses Association, in collaboration with the FAO Liaison Office in Japan, celebrated World Pulses Day. More than 130 people from the pulse industry, national government, FAO Liaison Office in Japan, and embassies gathered for this celebration. The opening ceremony included remarks by the Director of the FAO Liaison Office in Japan, Eriko Hibi; the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries, Taku Etō; and FAO Goodwill Ambassador Chef Katsuhiro Nakamura. The event was followed by a tasting of pulse-based dishes.

A day of pulse-based meals and trivia – Singapore

Agrocorp staff enjoying a pulse-based lunch.  © Global Pulse Confederation

The Global Pulse Confederation (GPC) organized several events worldwide, including in Ukraine, Pakistan, and Myanmar, to celebrate World Pulses Day 2025 in collaboration with its members. The main celebration, organized by GPC President Vijay Iyengar, took place in Singapore on 11 February 2025. The day began with the pulse community coming together to distribute a pulse-based lunch to migrant workers at Krsna's Free Meals. Later, at Agrocorp International, staff enjoyed a pulses-themed lunch followed by a trivia game, highlighting pulses as a sustainable and nutritious food choice.

A week for children to learn about pulses – Portugal

School children of Funchal participating in the week-long celebration.  ©Municipality of Funchal, Portugal

From 10 to 14 February 2025, the Municipality of Funchal, Autonomous Region of Madeira, Portugal, organized a week-long event to celebrate World Pulses Day in the city’s schools. Throughout the week, children took part in games and informative workshops where they learned about pulses, their health and environmental benefits, and how to identify different types. They also had the opportunity to try their hands at preparing their own hummus dishes. At the end of the celebration, the students received a leaflet with information about pulses and recipes to try with their families. As a participant in the Horizon 2020 Food Trails project, Funchal is one of the 11 European cities leveraging the benefits of pulses to create sustainable urban food systems, thereby advancing the goals of the Milan Urban Food Policy Pact.

Exhibition of pulse products and knowledge sharing session  - Pakistan

Participants of the World Pulses Day 2025 celebration organized by the Nuclear Institute for Agriculture and Biology in Pakistan. ©Nuclear Institute for Biology and Agriculture

On 10 February 2025, the Nuclear Institute for Agriculture and Biology (NIAB) celebrated World Pulses Day with the aim of raising public awareness about the nutritional benefits and economic significance of pulses. The event began with a vibrant exhibition of pulse products created and presented by students from the Government College University Faisalabad and NIAB. Following the exhibition, NIAB’s director Muhammad Yussouf Saleem officially inaugurated the celebration with his opening remarks. Thereafter, a knowledge-sharing session took place featuring a diverse panel of stakeholders, ranging from high school students to professors, nutritionists, and representatives from the pulses industry. The day's celebrations concluded with a delicious lunch offering a variety of dishes made from pulses.

We would like to hear from you

If you are planning an event for next World Pulses Day, please let us know about it by sending an email to [email protected] with the name of the event, the date and location, a brief description, a picture, and a website where additional information can be found.