A consortium described as the first of its kind in Canada has announced a two-year project to build a pea variety development database.
Protein Industries Canada, the Global Institute for Food Security and DL Seeds are leading the project to consolidate genetic information for yellow peas and make it available to Canadian breeders.
The public-private partnership also includes value chain stakeholders from Prairie provinces.
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WHY IT MATTERS: The pea database is expected to help breeders improve varieties more quickly and create more value throughout the value chain by using new tools such as AI.
“The implementation of the new Pea Genomic Selection Platform will help breeders develop higher-value varieties for both producers and customers, better positioning Canada to deliver the protein-rich and functional products the world is looking for,” said a news release.
Buckley Belanger, secretary of state for rural development, announced at the SaskCrops Forum in Saskatoon that the federal government has committed $1.8 million through Protein Industries Canada and its work as a global innovation cluster.
“This is a Canadian innovation aimed straight at real world results using advanced analytics and new AI tools,” he said.
This will create stronger, better performing varieties, as well as jobs, at a lower cost than by using traditional approaches, he said.
“We all know that the stakes are really tight right now. Extreme weather is more and more unpredictable. Input costs are a constant pressure and global markets are changing,” Belanger said.
“We need to keep up with global leaders.”
PIC chief executive officer Tyler Groeneveld said the project represents real collaboration across organizations that share the goal of Canada remaining competitive, innovative and a leader in the world’s fast-changing food system.
He said that work begins at the genetic level.
“This new platform will bring data, expertise and tools together in a way Canada has not done before. By consolidating genetic, phenotypic, environmental and pedigree data from across the country … breeders will be able to look at thousands of data points at once. This means stronger signals, better selection decisions, lower coasts and ultimately faster development of new varieties,” he said.
Groeneveld said if Canada wants to lead in food production and ingredient innovation, this type of investment is required.
PIC is bringing $1.4 million to the project while the partners are investing the rest.
The work will be done at the GIFS accelerated breeding centre through its non-profit Ag Tech Enterprise Inc.
The University of Saskatchewan’s’s Crop Development Centre and Agriculture Canada are partners, as are Prairies Economic Development Canada, Results Driven Agriculture Research, SeCan, Saskatchewan Pulse Growers, Manitoba Pulse and Soybean Growers and Alberta Pulse Growers.
GIFS CEO Steve Webb said genomic selection isn’t new, but the consortium model of public and private breeders in a competitive space is.
He said the data ecosystem will be safe, secure, anonymous and auditable. The consortium is working with SaskTel.
“This approach is expected to significantly increase genetic gain, enhance global competitiveness and unlock billions in additional farm revenue by 2035, while enabling Canada to become a global powerhouse in value-added pulses,” Webb said.
Canada is looking for high-yielding pea varieties for the functional and high protein ingredient markets. Future commercialization of new varieties developed through the platform will deliver more value per acre and per tonne.
