Pulses and edible legumes are truly the pulse of life for the soil, for people and the planet.
In our farms they give life to the soil by providing nitrogen. This is how ancient cultures enriched their soils. Farming did not begin with the Green Revolution and synthetic nitrogen fertilisers. Whether it is the diversity based systems of India- Navdanya, where 9 crops are planted together, Baranaja, where 12 crops are planted together, or the three sisters planted by the rst nations in North America, or the ancient Milpa system of Mexico, beans and pulses were vital to indigenous agro-ecological systems.
Similarly vegetable protein from pulses was also at the heart of a balanced, nutritious diet for humans. The Benevolent Bean is central to the Mediterranean diet. India’s food culture is based on “dal roti“ and “dal chawal”. Urad, moong, masoor, chana, rajma, tur, lobia, gahat have been our staples since ancient times. While they bring us health and nutrition, they also bring health to our soils. India was the largest producer of pulses in the world. Today we are the biggest importers. And since the rest of the world does not grow the diversity of pulses we grow, what is being imported cannot replace the diversity necessary for the Indian diet.
Navdanya brings you a rich diversity of indigenous dals, pulses and beans which we have saved and rejunivated as the pules of life. The days have been produced by Navdaya’s organic communities in the arid zones of rajasthan and bundelkhand. The beans have been grown by our organic communities in himalaya. Conserving diversity and producing organically is an act of love for the earth, the soil and biodiversity and brings health to all.