PULSES: PARTNERSHIP FOR DIETARY DIVERSITY AND BALANCE ROADMAP

Pulses are important source of protein for Indian consumers but their availability has declined from 60 grams per person in 1960 to 35 grams per person in 2010. It is because pulses production is not keeping pace with the rising demand. Growing supply-demand gap is leading to rising prices of pulses and keeping them away from the reach of the poor consumer. India is the largest producer and consumer of pulses   and leading to rise in prices.

In mapping the future aspect of food and nutritional security, pulses contribute major portion in food basket. International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) and McGill World Platform for Health and Economic Convergence (MWP) organized a one day Multi-Stakeholder Workshop for Convergent Innovation: Pulse Partnerships as Part of Dietary Diversity and Balance Roadmap on April 15, 2013 in New Delhi. The workshop aimed to develop pulse roadmaps that targets dietary diversity, and balance of production and consumption through nutrient-rich commodity.

Participated by researchers, private sectors, philanthropic organizations and NGOs, the workshop discussed the way ahead ideas for increasing production and consumption of pulses, innovation needed in food processing, manufacturing, technologies, and weak seed market. Aspects of existing markets and value chain such as high transaction cost, and losses to farmers with low processing and poor food safety concerns were discussed.  The workshop approach was to sketch a pulse outline on innovation, technology, and partnership for future food and nutritional security.

Led by MWP, the global Convergent Innovation Coalition (CIC) provides Whole of Society Approach (WoS) with the goal of developing scalable and sustainable solutions for nutrition secure future.

Moving ahead with the discussed outline to the pulse innovation, the team would follow the strategy for change through technology, policies and institution through convergence innovation concept.  IFPRI and MWP propose to study India and Bangladesh on issues related to (i)  developing an Inventory and systems analysis of pulse related convergent innovation; (ii)  linking emerging consumer purchase pattern to business practices and (iii)  economic exploration of pulse innovation potential on production and consumption