Funds Aim to Improve Soybean Tolerance to Extreme Weather
The Canadian government has announced a new funding initiative aimed at aiding soybean farmers in managing the adverse effects of extreme weather conditions.
This initiative underscores the importance of soybeans in Canada's agricultural sector, which contributes approximately $14 billion annually to the economy.
Mark Gerretsen, representing the Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, unveiled a funding of up to $2,325,361 over four years to Performance Plants Inc. (PPI).
This investment, part of the AgriScience Program – Projects Component under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, seeks to propel advancements in soybean resilience through innovative genetic research.
The project funded by this initiative will focus on developing soybean varieties that are more adept at handling heat and drought conditions, are herbicide resistant, utilize water efficiently, and enhance carbon sequestration in the soil.
This research aims to equip Canadian soybean crops with the necessary traits to thrive in increasingly harsh climatic conditions, ensuring high yields and quality.
Performance Plants Inc., an agricultural biotechnology company founded in 1995, has been at the forefront of developing technologies that increase crop yields through enhanced heat and drought tolerance.
The company has previously received significant funding under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, affirming its pivotal role in agricultural innovation.
The AgriScience Program is dedicated to fostering pre-commercial scientific activities and research that benefit the agriculture and agri-food sector across Canada.
By supporting projects like those undertaken by PPI, the program facilitates the development of cutting-edge solutions to the challenges facing modern agriculture.
Dr. Yafan Huang, CEO of Performance Plants Inc., stated, “Soybean is the third largest field crop in Canada, and the foundation to increase its growth acreage and productivity lays squarely on the genetic improvement of the seeds.”
“We are grateful to have AAFC’s further support through its AgriScience Program to complete the development of climate-resilient, high-yielding soybean with enhanced carbon sequestration. Successful introduction of Performance Plants’ validated technologies to this crop will help to secure and grow this important Canadian industry amid increasingly challenging climate conditions.”