Protein Industries Canada has announced an additional CAD 15m (approx. $10.9m) in funding, provided by the Canadian government, to help strengthen Canada’s plant-based ingredient supply chain through genomics and artificial intelligence (AI) programmes.

The new investment aims to support the advancement of genomics and AI technologies to enable plant breeders, farmers and other companies across Canada’s agri-food sector to build a more resilient, efficient and sustainable food system.

This full-value-chain approach is expected to expand the range of Canadian-made ingredient options while creating new economic opportunities and bringing new tools to plant breeders, farmers, ingredient processors and food manufacturers.

Through a new five-year Genomics Stream, Protein Industries Canada will invest CAD 7 million (approx. $5m) into the commercialisation of new and improved broad-acre crop varieties, with a focus on pulse and cereal crops.

Projects under the stream will apply genomic tools in plant breeding and variety development to meet industry demand, aligning innovation across the value chain.

The additional CAD 8 million (approx. $5.8 million) investment into AI programming will boost Protein Industries Canada’s current investment under the government of Canada’s Pan-Canadian Artificial Intelligence Strategy.

Projects to be considered may involve the development of tools that accelerate seed genetic work, supply chain optimisation, on-farm information gathering, quality assurance and food safety protocols, and ingredient and food formulation.

Robert Hunter, CEO of Protein Industries Canada, said: “This new investment will deliver value across the entire supply chain, starting with enhanced genetics that improve crop functionality and provide farmers with more resilient, high-performing options”.

“At the same time, our investment into artificial intelligence will support the development of tools that boost on-farm productivity and sustainability. Together, these advancements – combined with our full value-chain approach – will strengthen Canada’s position as a global supplier of nutritious, functional plant-based food, feed and ingredients, while contributing to our goal of building a $25 billion industry for Canada.”