Sep 12, 2018

Canada to invest $18 million in pulse crop research

On Sept. 11, Canadian Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Lawrence MacAulay announced a federal investment of up to $11.1 million to the Saskatchewan Pulse Growers’ and Pulse Canada under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, AgriScience Clusters.

Pulse crops grown in Canada include dry peas, lentils, beans and chickpeas.

Building on two previous research clusters, this investment includes an additional $7.2 million in contributions from industry, for a total investment of over $18 million. The Cluster will focus on a series of themes: improving productivity of new pulse crops, addressing threats to the value chain, exploring the health benefits of pulses and developing innovations in pulse ingredient processing and food product development. Funding under the cluster will enable universities and research institutions across the country to undertake new research activities, and hire faculty members and summer students including the University of Saskatchewan.

An investment of $175,721 was also provided to Pulse Canada through the Growing Forward 2, AgriInnovation Program, towards pulse innovation in the Chinese market. This project will help the industry expand the use of pulses in a wide range of Chinese foods and investigate the health benefits of eating pulse snacks.

“The Canadian pulse industry looks forward to continued collaboration with the Government of Canada under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership. Research and innovation in pulse production, ingredient processing and utilization will help our sector maintain a competitive advantage,” said Pulse Canada Chairwoman Allison Ammeter.

Canadian pulse production in 2017 was 7.1 million tons, according to a news release from MacAulay’s office. The 5-year average for Canadian pulse production is 6.5 million tons per year.