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MCCHE is at the centre of efforts to support Indian pulse production

Published: 11 May 2017

The Pulse Innovation Platform of the McGill Centre for the Convergence of Health and Economics (MCCHE) brings new methods of food production and marketing to India.

High fibre content, a low glycemic index, and ease of production make pulses an ideal crop for much of the developing world. Accordingly, the Pulse Innovation Platform (PIP-Global), through the McGill Centre for the Convergence of Health and Economics (MCCHE) and Ottawa’s International Development Research Centre, has selected India to be its first national-scale effort.

India has a rapidly growing economy, but many areas struggle with crushing poverty. Desautels Professor Laurette Dubé and Bengaluru-based food science consultant Venkatesh Sosle aim to help entrepreneurs bring food products to market, as well as to support farmers and help develop health policy. So far, the proposition has been met with enthusiasm in India.

“For several years, the fate of pulses in the Indian agricultural system was a matter of concern due to low productivity and lack of growth compared to cereals, calling for innovative approaches to deal with the issue. In addition, 2016, which was the International Year of Pulses, also saw a crisis in the Indian pulse market, leading to the government taking several initiatives of its own to deal with the situation. All these factors have led to Indian partners responding enthusiastically to MCCHE’s proposition to establish PIP-India and improve the Indian pulse value chain with the goal of collective wealth, health, and sustainable economic development in mind,” concludes Jasmine Ramze Rezaee, project and communications manager, McGill Centre for the Convergence of Health and Economics.

Read full article: EducationTimes India 

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