Research

One of the top priorities of Manitoba Pulse Growers Association is to fund research activities that will positively impact the farmer’s bottom line and the entire pulse industry. Every year MPGA dedicates 40% to 45% of its gross revenue to scientific research projects. In 2011 MPGA committed $424, 777 to research activities conducted at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, University of Manitoba, University of Guelph, Manitoba Agriculture Food and Rural Initiatives, Canadian International Grains Institute, Food Development Centre, Puratone, Richardson Centre for Functional Foods and Nutraceuticals, and field-scale trials near Carman.

Since 2000 MPGA has committed $2,903,953 to scientific research, and has numerous projects that have led to new varieties, improved agronomic practices, and the development of new pulse utilization methods.

Pulse Canada, Alberta Pulse Growers, Saskatchewan Pulse Growers, Ontario Coloured Bean Growers Association, Ontario White Bean Producers, and MPGA came together in 2009 with the goal of increasing the competitiveness and profitability of the pulse industry by supporting efficient production of pulses and demand creation research activities. The objective of the Pulse Science Cluster is to encourage collaboration across Canada and to stimulate additional research and development to support active initiatives of the pulse sector using leveraged funding from the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) Agri-Science Cluster program, within Growing Forward.  Research projects encompass genetic improvement, agronomy and sustainable development, and processing and utilization for edible beans, peas, lentils, chickpeas and faba beans.

The Canadian Field Crop Research Alliance (CFCRA) was created in 2010 between Atlantic Grains Council, la Fédération des producteurs de cultures commerciales du Québec, SeCan, Pepsi-Quaker Canada Inc., Grain Farmers of Ontario, Manitoba Corn Growers Association and MPGA.  This alliance of provincial farm organizations and industry partners is in partnership with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada through the Developing Innovative Agri-Products (DIAP) program to obtain leveraged funding for research projects aimed at improving crop genetics and developing new varieties tailored to meet the needs of the marketplace.  New soybean varieties have already been developed through the “Advanced Canadian Field Crops through Breeding” project.

For more information on what projects MPGA is funding or to read updated research reports click here.