Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture

Food and nutrition security

Launch of the Global Pulse Innovation Platform (PIP)

Tiempo de lectura: 3 mins.

The International Year of Pulses (IYoP) declared by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has been marked by a plethora of activities in Canada. 

Ottawa, ON. One such initiative is the Pulse Innovation Platform aimed at reinventing competition and collaboration needed for a next generation agri-food innovation system.  Bolstered by the partnership of private and public sectors, academia and international organizations, such as the FAO, Consultative Group for International Agricultural Research- CGIAR and the World Bank, the PIP is being advanced as a suitable demonstration model for highlighting benefits which can accrue to health, environment and the economy, with a “whole of society” approach. 

Pulses Panel at the University of McGill in Montreal, QC.
Pulses Panel at the University of McGill in Montreal, QC.

The launch took place under the auspices of the Centre for the Convergence of Health and Economics of McGill University (MCCHE) and had presentations and endorsements from a diverse group of executives drawn from the partnering groups. The CEO of Pulse Canada, Gordon Bacon, spoke of Canada’s (indirect) contribution to food security, resulting from exports of pulses to over 150 countries, and shared exciting prospects for reducing greenhouse gas emissions by substituting pulse flour for wheat flour. He stressed the importance of targeting consumer perception and behavior, as the consumer plays a central role – as both citizen and patient.

The half day event was followed by a day-long workshop on Convergent Innovation (CI) for Sustainable Development and Affordable Healthcare. This provided additional insights on consumer behavior, targeting the “Food Convergent Innovation Sweet Spot” and embedding CI into capacity building and systems design for public and private value creation.  A highlight was the Convergent Innovation Fair, where young entrepreneurs presented their food based products and their services targeting health, convenience, environmental sustainability and the bottom-line.

Both events were led by Professor Laurette Dubé, the James McGill Chair for Consumer & Lifestyle Psychology and Marketing; Chair and Scientific Director, MCCHE, Desaultels Faculty of Management of  McGill University.

 

Share

Related news​

San José, Costa Rica

July 24, 2025

With IICA’s support, agricultural federations of the Americas consolidate roadmap to boost regional agricultural competitiveness

The consensus was formalized at the 2nd Meeting of Agricultural Federations of the Americas, organized by the Institute and the Federation of Chambers of Agriculture.

Tiempo de lectura: 3mins

San José, Costa Rica

July 24, 2025

U.S. agricultural leader Kip Tom highlights IICA as the organization best equipped to defend the interests of the agriculture sector

Kip Tom, Vice Chair of Rural Policy at the America First Policy Institute (AFPI), took part in the Second Meeting of Agricultural Federations of the Americas, held at IICA’s headquarters in Costa Rica.

Tiempo de lectura: 3mins

San José, Costa Rica

July 23, 2025

Innovative financial inclusion models strengthen family farming in Latin America and the Caribbean

More than 200,000 micro, small and medium-sized enterprises and small and medium-scale farmers have access to financing mechanisms

Tiempo de lectura: 3mins