INCREASE celebrates Earth Day!

Tomorrow, on 22nd of April, we celebrate Earth Day! The climate and biodiversity crises are getting worse every minute and we need to act now!

To do so, growing more food legumes in our agroecosystems and promoting their use in our food systems can play a tremendous role in reducing CO2 emissions, contrasting the climate and biodiversity crisis by developing sustainable agriculture, saving and restoring our ecosystem and biodiversity. Increasing the presence of food legumes in our meals is an excellent way to contribute to a better environment as shown by IPCC reports.

The INCREASE project is focusing on promoting the conservation and use of four food legumes such as common bean, chickpea, lentil and lupins (white lupin and tarwi). This effort will contribute to improving agrobiodiversity, sustainability of agricultural production systems and facilitating the transition to plant-based diets. We are using cutting edge technology to conserve, characterise and promote the utilisation of food legumes genetic resources available in gene banks. We are also using participatory and citizen science to involve entire societies, stakeholders and citizens in this effort and facilitating the innovation needed in our agricultural and food systems.

To well celebrate Earth Day, why not consider having a meal with food legumes and from that start increasing the use of food legumes in your diet?

Join us! Give Earth a chance!