​Ibrafe brings important themes from international meetings

The participation of the Brazilian Institute of Beans & Pulses (Ibrafe) in the two largest world events linked to Pulses and the planet's food yielded good results and can provide further development for Brazil's production chain. Last week, the president of Ibrafe, Marcelo Eduardo Lüders, was at the Global Pulse Conferederation (GPC), in Vancouver, Canada and at the Forum of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), in New York.

From now on, Ibrafe is the entity that represents GPC in Brazil. The president of the Institute becomes part of the executive committee with the mission of being the ambassador of Pulses in the country, encouraging production, exports and consumption.

“It's a huge challenge, but I see that we must take advantage of the global moment of appeal for less industrialized products, with low environmental impact to enhance the production and consumption of Pulses. This is where integrated production fits in, which we are very slowly taking the first steps in Brazil. It is a basic condition today for export and if it is good for export, it is our duty to ensure that Brazilians first have access to it", declared Lüders.

Other issues such as the global aversion to genetically modified products and the banning of glyphosate, in some countries, which according to information from the World Health Organization, is potentially carcinogenic to humans, were also discussed at the GPC meeting.

United Nations Forum

In New York, the main topic discussed was sustainability in global food production. Business and government leaders were gathered, along with the heads of UN agencies, key international organizations and civil society groups. The meeting of high-level policies is multidisciplinary, ranging from respect for the diversity of peoples, to establishing respect for women as a way of establishing fair relationships in human coexistence.

In this context, Pulses play a central role, as they generate low environmental impact, with a high amount of protein and minerals. They also involve the ability to maintain producer families with a better income than large and traditional crops.

“Establishing World Pulses Day, as a continuation of the efforts of the 2016 International Year of Pulses, was what we defended during our demonstration to the plenary. We remember that there was a worldwide awakening, and in Brazil too, about what Pulses are, what research there is in Brazil on these grains and what we can and need to do to actively participate in this huge market", informed Lüders.

With World Pulses Day, the objective is to keep these discussions alive and, in this way, raise awareness among producers about the best production practices and consumers about the value of these legumes.