The Nutritiously Forgotten: Bringing More Local Indonesian Pulses to Our Tables

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Affordable, accessible sources of nutrients including protein are needed more than ever to fight global food insecurity and malnourishment. In Indonesia, concerns about under- and over-nutrition, especially stunting and obesity respectively are particularly on the rise. When meat and dairy are not easily accessible, pulses can provide communities with much–needed protein at a more affordable cost.

"Despite being tiny in size, the pulses or kacang-kacangan have great power to help us fight food insecurity and malnourishment," said Yurdi Yasmi, Director of the Plant Production and Protection Division at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), on World Pulses Day, celebrated annually on February 10, as quoted from the press release. This year's global celebration took place in Lima, Peru.

Pulses are naturally low in fat and abundant in soluble fiber, vitamins, and minerals. These nutritional powerhouses can contribute to lowering cholesterol and help control blood sugar levels. They play a role in the prevention and management of conditions like diabetes and heart disease.

"Pulses are expected to gain more importance in both farms and diets, thanks to their affordability, health, and environmental benefits," added Yurdi. 

Pulses in the market. Dok FAO/Pedro Costa Gomes

The FAO projects that average global per capita consumption will rise from 7kg per year in 2022 to 8.6kg per year in 2032. Indonesia, one of the top pulse producers in Asia, accounted for nearly 8.5% of global production in 2018-2019.

Pulses are integral to resilient farming systems. Their inclusion in crop rotations enhances soil fertility through atmospheric nitrogen fixation, revitalizing depleted and degraded soils. These plants can adapt to challenging climatic conditions and thrive in poor, marginal soils with minimal inputs, making them a crucial tool in addressing climate change. 

Pulses also promote soil carbon sequestration and naturally disrupt pest and insect cycles. When used as cover crops or within intercropping systems, they minimize soil erosion while boosting overall productivity.

Pulses are already a familiar part of Indonesian cuisine. They are found in popular dishes like tempe, tahu, and various local snacks. They even form a component of the Dietary Diversity Score (DSS), which measures food quality and is a potential indicator of nutritional adequacy.

According to Bappenas, Indonesia has over 12,000 types of pulses, yet only a small fraction is widely consumed. It is time to rediscover the potential of these "forgotten" nutritional gems.  Examples include kacang tolo (Vigna unguiculata), commonly found in krecek (spicy cattle skin stew) or urap (vegetable salad); lamtoro (Leucaena leucocephala); and kacang komak or kacang koro (Lablab purpureus), which can be enjoyed as nutritious snacks or incorporated into salads, stews, and fritters. Innovations are also underway to diversify the main ingredients of tempe and tahu, moving beyond soybeans to include other local varieties.

"Some of these rich pulses of Indonesia may be forgotten in cities, however they are the daily source of protein and income for many family farmers in villages," said Rajendra Aryal, FAO Representative in Indonesia and Timor Leste. 

He highlighted the crucial role of family farmers as guardians of biodiversity, stressing that supporting their livelihoods is central to many joint programs between the FAO and the Ministry of Agriculture.

"On World Pulses Day today, let’s celebrate Indonesian pulses diversity! Today and every day, let’s consume some more pulses of your choice," concluded Aryal, encouraging everyone to join this global movement.

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