Promoting Pulses for Sustainable Food Systems: Official Launch of the BEANS Meta Network

Bari, Italy – 4–5 June 2025

The CIHEAM, in partnership with the MEDIET project, is organizing two days of exchange and dialogue on the crucial role of pulses in transforming agri-food systems across the Mediterranean. The event will take place at the CIHEAM Bari Innovation Hub, with the participation of international and regional organizations, research centers, agricultural experts, and private sector stakeholders.

The first day will be dedicated to the outcomes of the MEDIET project, implemented with partners from 17 countries. The focus will be on the valorization of local and selected legume and pulse varieties, both from nutritional and agro-environmental perspectives, with contributions from teams based in Jordan, Tunisia, Lebanon, Greece, Morocco, Spain, and India.

On 5 June, the official launch of the BEANS Meta Network (Better pulses for Environment, Agriculture, Nutrition and Societies) will take place. This flagship initiative of the CIHEAM 2030 Strategic Plan, initiated under the MEDIET project and supported by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, aims to build a lasting regional cooperation framework around pulses.

Why a network on pulses?

Because they represent an essential ecological, nutritional, economic, and cultural lever. Rich in proteins, fiber, and micronutrients, pulses are key in combating malnutrition, preventing chronic diseases, and diversifying diets. They also enhance soil fertility by naturally fixing nitrogen, reduce dependency on chemical fertilizers, and support water-efficient farming practices that can better withstand climate variability.

Pulses are also deeply tied to identity: many local varieties are rooted in the culinary traditions of Mediterranean territories. Promoting pulses means preserving agri-cultural heritage, revitalizing rural economies, and fostering more inclusive value chains.

The BEANS Meta Network will bring together and amplify existing efforts, improve knowledge generation and dissemination, strengthen local capacities, and support advocacy to ensure pulses are fully integrated into agricultural and food policies.

Three groups of partners – international institutions, national research centers, and economic actors – will convene for the first General Assembly to define the network’s governance structure, thematic priorities, and 2025–2027 action plan.

This initiative is supported by leading partners such as CIHEAM, European Union, FAO, PRIMA Foundation, ICARDA, Bioversity-CIAT, the Arab Organization for Agricultural Development (AOAD), The Arab Center for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry lands (ACSAD), the Community of Mediterranean Universities (CMU), and IFAD. It is part of a shared vision for an agricultural transition rooted in biodiversity, sustainability, and food justice.

Full programme available here

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