Canada’s pulse and special crop farmers have received $4.3 million in federal funding to help them meet growing consumer demand for sustainable, high-quality plant-based protein, the Canadian government says in a Nov. 18 news release.
“This announcement is win-win. On the one hand we are expanding markets for Canadian-made protein products, and on the other hand, we are encouraging farmers to plant more pulses which are a sustainable solution to soil and crop management,” Marie-Claude Bibeau, federal minister of agriculture and agri-food, says in the release.
The investments will support international marketing activities to find foreign buyers, improve performance of transportation networks and reduce the risks posed by international trade barriers. More than $2.3 million of the funding will help enable Pulse Canada to continue to develop its ’25 by 25′ strategy to have 25 per cent of pulse production in new markets by 2025.
The release notes Pulse Canada will use the funding to promote the benefits of pulses and their ingredient derivatives to international food manufacturers and foodservice operators as a sustainable, value-added, healthy ingredient across a wide range for food sectors. A further $429,000 will help Pulse Canada assess and resolve barriers to international trade, including challenges created by the pandemic and create more stability for exports.
The remaining $1.5 million in funding will enhance the Ag Transport Coalition Railway Performance Measurement Program, an important asset for the grain sector. The release notes this provides individual shippers with insight on supply chain performance and a common data platform to find transportation solutions to effectively and efficiently get their products to market.
The Canadian Special Crops Association is also receiving $127,944 to advance international opportunities for Canada’s pulse and special crops industry, which includes beans, chickpeas, lentils, peas, canary seeds, buckwheat, sunflower seeds and mustard seeds, the release says.
Related Articles
Feds Fund $2.6 Million for Food Processing Development Centre in Leduc
Plant Protein Alliance of Alberta Shuts Down After Funding Pulled
Food Processing Development Centre Grows Province’s Food And Beverage Industries
