Flowering canola field - LNN

By Dori Modney with files from the Canadian News Wire

High-protein canola project launched by supercluster

Jan 15, 2020 | 4:12 PM

SASKATOON — A project to breed high-protein canola is expected to enhance Canadian canola’s value in global markets.

The federal government created the Innovation Superclusters Initiative in 2018, to bring together small, medium-sized and large companies, academic institutions and not-for-profit organizations to serve as anchors of innovation, growth and job creation across the country.

On Wednesday (Jan 15), Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, Navdeep Bains, announced a new commercial breeding project to produce high-protein canola hybrids for both human consumption and animal feed.

The $27.6-million Research and Development effort is the latest project to be approved by the Protein Industries Canada supercluster, a pan-prairie initiative seeking to make Canada a leading source for plant proteins. A federal investment of up to $13.6 million in the canola project has helped leverage over $14 million in contributions from industry and other partners.

Under an agreement signed with Protein Industries Canada, the Government of Canada is investing up to nearly $153 million in the supercluster, with industry expected to match dollar for dollar in project value over a five-year period.

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Corteva Agriscience, Bunge Canada and Botaneco, are collaborating to breed high-protein canola using gene-editing technology. These new canola seed varieties are expected to be well suited for both traditional processing methods like crushing and newer technologies like the one being developed through the supercluster’s first supported project announced in June.

Agriculture and Agri-Food Minisiter, Marie-Claude Bibeau, remarked on the announcement.

“Canadian canola farmers can be assured that we have their back, and are making significant investments to give them the most innovative and in-demand products to help the canola sector grow. Investing in science and innovation is a priority for our Government and this project will help us reach our target of $75 billion in Canadian agri-food exports by 2025.”

It’s expected the announcement will position Canadian canola as even more of a premium product in global markets over the next decade, resulting in economic benefits across the entire value chain.

The Protein Industries Canada supercluster is expected to create more than 4,500 jobs and add more than $4.5 billion to Canada’s economy over 10 years.

Associated links:

— Innovation Superclusters Initiative

— Protein Industries Canada

— Protein Supercluster starts off with first project to boost crop value

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