Key Takeaways
- Protein Industries Canada has announced a new two-year capacity-building project focused on pea variety development.
- The initiative will create a national database consolidating genetic, phenotypic, environmental, and pedigree data.
- The project is led by GIFS Ag Tech Enterprise with partners including DL Seeds, the University of Saskatchewan, and AAFC.
- Artificial intelligence will be used to improve breeding speed, accuracy, and cost efficiency.
- A total of $1.8 million has been committed, with Protein Industries Canada contributing $1.4 million.
Protein Industries Canada Announces New Pea Genomic Selection Initiative
Protein Industries Canada announced a new two-year project under its Capacity Building Program at the Saskatchewan Crops Forum. The initiative, developed in collaboration with GIFS Ag Tech Enterprise Inc. and DL Seeds, will establish a national pea variety development database to support breeders across Canada.
The project brings together public and private sector partners, including the University of Saskatchewan’s Crop Development Centre (CDC) and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC). The consortium aims to consolidate genetic, phenotypic, environmental, and pedigree data into a single platform to support more efficient and informed breeding decisions.
AI-Enabled Platform to Support Canadian Pulse Breeders
The new Pea Genomic Selection Platform will allow breeders to analyze thousands of data points simultaneously using artificial intelligence. According to the project partners, this approach is expected to improve the quality and speed of breeding decisions while reducing development costs compared with traditional breeding methods.
The initiative will be executed through a national genomic selection breeding consortium led by the Global Institute for Food Security (GIFS) at the University of Saskatchewan, through its non-profit business arm, GIFS Ag Tech Enterprise. The platform is designed to help accelerate the development of new pea varieties better suited to Canadian growing and processing conditions.
The Honourable Heath MacDonald, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, said the project represents an advancement for Canadian agriculture by making crop development faster, more affordable, and more competitive.
Public–Private Collaboration and Sector Impact
Government and industry representatives emphasized the role of collaboration in advancing the project. The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Industry, noted that integrating diverse data and expertise will strengthen Canada’s position in the sustainable economy while delivering benefits for farmers, processors, and consumers.
Tyler Groeneveld, Chief Executive Officer of Protein Industries Canada, said the platform will help ensure crop development efforts are more resource-efficient and aligned with the needs of farmers and ingredient manufacturers. He added that the initiative supports Canada’s reputation for high-quality crops and positions the country for leadership in global food and ingredient markets.
Protein Industries Funding and Long-Term Objectives
The project has received a total commitment of $1.8 million, with Protein Industries Canada investing $1.4 million and consortium partners contributing the remaining funds. Additional support comes from organizations across the value chain, including producer groups and regional economic development agencies.
Steven R. Webb, Chief Executive Officer of GIFS, said the initiative is expected to significantly increase genetic gain in peas, improve global competitiveness, and unlock substantial farm revenue by 2035. The partners stated that the platform will support the development of higher-yielding, protein-rich pea varieties, helping Canada meet growing global demand for sustainable and functional food ingredients.
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