Contents: About the Special Issue

Abstract

Pulses constitute an important component in Indian diet.
Being primarily cereal-based and vegetarian in
composition, Indian diet suffers from deficiency of
essential amino acids and quality protein. Pulses, which
are also known as ‘poor men’s protein’, contain almost
2 times the protein of wheat and 3 times that of rice,
and contribute more than 10% of overall protein intake.
However, per capita availability of pulses in India has
declined from 66g during 1965 to about 33g during 2005,
which is far below the Indian Council of Medical
Research’s prescription of 40g/day. Therefore, protein
energy malnutrition (PEM) is rampant among the poor
masses of India. It is affecting particularly the pre-school
children (<6 years of age) in their growth and
development leading to impairment in later part of life.
It is therefore essential to enhance production,
availability and consumption of pulses so as to ensure
‘nutritional security’ and balanced growth of the citizens
of the country.