ICAR-NRRI celebrated 4th World Pulses Day 2022
National Rice Research Institute (NRRI), Cuttack celebrated “4th World Pulses Day” on 10th February, 2022 in its campus to raise awareness about the importance of pulses. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations Organizations (UNO) has decided the theme for this year’s World Pulses Day as “Pulses to Empower Youth in Achieving Sustainable Agri-food Systems”.
Mrs. Kalpana Mohapatra graced the occasion as Chief Guest and articulated that pulses are a great source of low-fat protein, which are particularly important for vegetarian and poor people who cannot afford to get protein by eating meat, fish, egg or dairy products. In addition to protein, pulses are cheap and better sources of fibre, vitamins and minerals like iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), folate (Vitamin B9) and magnesium (Mg). Further she added that pulses can be consumed in several forms like dal, khichdi, chapatti, mixtures, snacks, soups, cakes, sweets, etc. and at any time of the day from breakfast to dinner. She appreciated the efforts of the institute in organizing such an effective awareness programme for the benefit of farmers and farm women. Later, she distributed critical inputs to the participating farmers like pulse seeds, various bio-agents for seed treatment, bio-fertilizers and certificates.
Dr. Padmini Swain, Director of the institute stated in her presidential address that pulses are very significant crops in terms of food security, nutritional value and environmental benefits. She also mentioned that pulses are very useful in climate change mitigation by reducing dependence on chemical fertilizers through nitrogen fixation in the soil, besides improving soil fertility and soil biodiversity. She enlightened the audience about its usefulness in controlling health issues such as obesity, high blood sugar and cholesterol. She suggested the farmers and farm women to cultivate pulses scientifically for personal consumption, surplus sale and as an enterprise, which can help them maintain economic stability and food security.
Among others, Dr. B.C. Patra, Head of Crop Improvement Division spoke about interventions under Scheduled Caste Sub Plan (SCSP) programme and Dr. GAK Kumar, Head of Social Science Division also addressed the gathering. Three awareness lectures on pulses were delivered, namely ‘Pulse varieties and production technologies’ by Dr. B.S. Satapathy; ‘Protection technologies against insect-pests in pulses’ by Dr. S.D. Mohapatra, and ‘Post-harvest technologies and value addition for pulses’ by Dr. M. Siva Shankari. A display of exhibits on various pulse seeds, food products and bio-fertilizers was also arranged to benefit the participants. Apart from staff and students, over eighty beneficiary farmers and farm women under Scheduled Caste Sub Plan (SCSP) and Farmer FIRST Programme from Cuttack, Jagatsighpur and Kendrapara districts of Odisha participated in the programme. At the outset, Convener Dr. S.K. Mishra welcome the guests and coordinated the event, while at the end, Dr. Biswajit Mondal, Nodal Officer of SCSP Programme offered formal vote of thanks.
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| Chief Guest Smt. Kalpana Mohapatra addressing the audience | Director Dr Padmini Swain addressing the audience |
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| Chief Guest and Director distributing certificates and critical inputs for pulse cultivation | Dignitaries visiting the Display on Pulses |
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| Dignitaries inaugurating the Event | A section of the participants |
