This document discusses convergent innovation in the pulse value chain. It defines convergent innovation as the integration of various types of innovation by multiple actors to achieve inclusive economic growth and development. The document then provides examples of quasi-convergent innovation initiatives in India's pulse sector, including a Tata initiative partnering with farmers and financial institutions, and an Orissa pilot project bringing together private firms, NGOs, and researchers. It notes future efforts are needed to address pulse consumption through a Pulse Innovation Partnership working across the food supply chain to develop nutritious and tasty pulse-based products.

1. Convergent Innovation in Pulse
Value Chain
Dr. Srivardhini K. Jha
Research Scientist, CGIAR/MCCHE

2. Convergent Innovation (CI)
• Convergent innovation is the integration of technological,
organizational, social, financial and institutional innovation
by multiple actors to achieve inclusive and sustainable
economic growth and human development.
• It is a form of Meta-innovation – an innovation in the way
we innovate – that is built on four core tenets
– A deep and actionable understanding of human behavior and
decision making
– Strategic engagement by private enterprises
– Community collaboration and Multi-sector collective action
– Embedded digital technologies

3. Convergent Innovation
A deep
understanding of
human behavior and
decision making
Strategic
engagement
by private
enterprises
Community
mobilization and
cross-sector
collective action
Institutional Innovation
Financial Innovation
Social Innovation
Organizational Innovation
Technological Innovation
Economic and Human
Development Outcomes
Embedded
digital
technologies

4. Why CI in Pulse Value Chain?
• It is a nutrition-rich commodity that needs to keep its
place in people’s diet
• In India, there are inefficiencies across the value chain
– from production, processing to distribution and
retailing.
• A complex issue that touches the entire cross-section
of society – smallholder farmers, SMEs, large
enterprises and consumers spanning the income
pyramid.
• Addressing the issue requires concerted effort from a
variety of players cutting across sectors and markets.

5. Tata MoPu/iShakti: A Quasi-CI
initiative
A deep
understanding of
human behavior and
decision making
Strategic
engagement
by private
enterprises
Community
mobilization and
cross-sector
collective action
Institutional Innovation
Social Innovation
Financial Innovation
Extension work by Rallis.
The package of practices
to support the farmers
Organizational Innovation
Rallis’ innovation in
seeds, fertilizers,
pesticides
Technological Innovation
Positive Economic Outcome for
the farmers and the various
companies involved
Embedded
digital
technologies
(mKRISHI)
Weaving together of
various government
programs
Tie-up with HDFC and SBI
to offer credit to farmers
and to facilitate direct
payment

6. Orissa Pilot: A Pilot CI Implementation
A deep
understanding of
human behavior and
decision making
Strategic
engagement
by private
enterprises
Community
mobilization and
cross-sector
collective action
Institutional Innovation
Financial Innovation
Social Innovation
Private firms, NGOs and
RIs working in tandem,
sharing information and
coordinating across
Organizational
boundaries
Organizational Innovation
New/Improved variety of
pulses
Technological Innovation
- Economic and nutrition/health
outcomes for farmers
- Sustainability for all actors
Embedded digital
technologies
(for agriculture
and health)
Micro-entrepreneurship
for community
mobilization, Self-help
groups
To be introduced as the
project progresses

7. Addressing Consumption
• The CI initiatives described above are primarily
production focused, striving to achieve
convergent outcome for the smallholder farmers.
• However, to gain efficiencies across the PVC, the
consumption side also needs to be addressed.
• The question is – how can pulses carve out a
place in the daily diet in an era of rapidly
changing lifestyles, dietary habits and a general
trend towards convenience foods?
• Pulse Innovation Partnership (PIP) is a consortium
of companies that hopes to address this issue.

8. The PIP
Food Storage /
Primary Processing
Secondary food
Processing
Tertiary food
Processing
Food distribution,
transportation &
trade
Food promotion
and labeling
Food retailing,
service & catering
Food
Production …
• The PIP is an open innovation platform that aspires to bring about convergent
food innovations – low-cost, nutritious and tasty pulse-based products in a way
that is sustainable for the innovating companies.
• Focused on both developing and developed markets.
• The business model is under development.
• The food innovation will create a ‘pull’ effect on pulse production.

9. Thank you!
Comments and
feedback
welcome.