Feds invest $11 million into pulse sector for research and development

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This article was published 22/02/2024 (574 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The federal government has invested just over $11 million into the pulse sector to support research and development in the industry.

Ben Carr, Member of Parliament for Winnipeg South Centre, made the announcement of $11,017,979 to Pulse Canada on behalf of Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, on Feb. 9. A press release sent out from the federal government says that the funding is provided through the AgriScience Program — Clusters Component, an initiative under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership.

“This support will help farmers improve their pulse crops, be better positioned to adapt to a changing industry and face production challenges head-on,” Carr said.

Through research, the Cluster endeavours to help address challenges in production which will result in reduced nitrogen fertilizer consumption across crop rotations, lower greenhouse gas emissions, increased carbon sequestration, lower disease risks and increased profits for farmers, the release said.

Canada is a world leader in sustainable pulse production and exportation, says Kevin Auch, the chair of Pulse Canada.

“These investments in research from the Government of Canada, matched by our sector, will help enhance our resiliency to meet the growing global demand for sustainably grown, high quality pulses and ingredients while making a positive impact on our environment and economy,” he said.

Jill Verwey, the president of Keystone Agricultural Producers, is always pleased to see investments in agriculture from the federal government that support research focused on improving outcomes for producers, especially when those outcomes work toward achieving our shared goals on sustainability.

“This funding will help provide Canadian producers, including those in Manitoba who contribute to our leadership in sustainable plant protein production, with research outcomes that will help their continued production of Canadian pulses and do our part to address both domestic and foreign food security challenges,” Verwey told the Sun.

The research will support the federal government’s 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan for Canada to reach its emissions reduction target of 40 per cent below 2005 levels by 2030 and net-zero emissions by 2050. It will also contribute to a sustainable and profitable future for farmers in the pulse industry by developing new varieties to improve production efficiently, profitability and protein yield, the federal government says. Part of the research will also work on developing pulse varieties that are resistant to disease and resilient to environmental stress.

The pulse industry is strong and growing thanks to increased demand for plant proteins around the world, said Terry Duguid, parliamentary secretary to the Prime Minister and special advisor for water and Member of Parliament for Winnipeg South.

“This new research cluster brings together industry and our science communities to focus on projects that will move the pulse industry forward and help pulse farmers keep their operations sustainable and successful,” he said.

Canadian pulse farmers are vitally important to the country’s economy, MacAulay said.

“This investment will bring together the top experts in pulse growing and research from across the Prairies to improve the competitiveness and sustainability of the sector for generations to come.”

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada has partnered with Prairies Economic Development Canada and other government departments in support of the Green Prairie Economy. The groups are working together to support businesses and communities across the Prairie provinces and growing Canada’s globally competitive economy sustainably, the federal government says.

A net zero future will be possible when partners come together with shared purpose and draw upon local assets and strengths across our region, said Dan Vandal, federal minister of northern affairs and the minister responsible for PrairiesCan and CanNor.

“No one government, industry, or organization can do it alone. Investments like this one, supporting the Green Prairie Economy, are a step towards our goal to transition to a stronger, sustainable economic future together,” he said.

The research activities being funded are aligned with a sector strategy, led by a non-profit sector organization. Projects are stand-alone research activities led by organizations.

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