A designated United Nations global event created in 2019, this day recognises pulses as a global food, and their role in reducing world hunger. Pulses are a variety of plant-based food such as lentils, chickpeas, dry peas, dry beans, lupins and so forth. Pulses are especially important to the world because they have a low-carbon footprint, can adapt easily to semi-arid conditions and tolerate drought stress. They are also highly nutritious, inexpensive and easy to store – crucial particularly in low income countries.