We might be on the cusp of a new boom in pulse crop demand, capitalizing on its ability to provide protein without the health, environmental and ethical issues associated with animal products.
Supplying bulk pulses to India, China and the Middle East has been a lucrative business for Canadian farmers for years.
Indeed, the record amount of pulses seeded this year meets what University of Saskatchewan pulse breeder Bert Vandenberg saw as an “impossible dream” when he started working on the crop in the late 1970s — 20 percent of Saskatchewan seeded area.
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There are also healthy acreages in Alberta and Manitoba.
However, new research developments in pulse nutrition profiles and changing consumer demand might open even more doors to these remarkable plants, so well suited to production on the Canadian Prairies.
Pea protein, starch, flour and fibre are finding their way into energy bars and other food, and Vandenberg is talking about “biofortified” lentils with specific content to address health issues in developing countries, such as iron deficiency and arsenic toxicity.
Perhaps the greatest opportunity comes from the globe’s soaring demand for protein, generated by changes in diet as incomes rise and populations increase.
This trend is a great opportunity for Canada’s livestock producers because they have the resources in land, crops and water to expand production.
However, these resources are not universally available, and there are signs that global livestock production might not be able to keep up with demand because of environmental limitations.
As well, there is another growing demographic important to the evolution of the protein market — people who need protein but reject meat because they believe it is unethical or want to reduce consumption for health reasons.
Pulses have higher protein concentrations than other plants with 20 to 25 percent protein by weight, while wheat has 10 percent and meat 30 to 40 percent.
So Canada’s pulse crop growers can also latch on to the protein trend, providing a plant-based source.
As well, pulses have a good environmental story to capture society’s interest.
Pulses have a small carbon footprint. Growing one kilogram of a pulse crop produces only a half kilogram of carbon dioxide equivalent compared to 9.5 kilograms in producing one kilogram of beef.
As well, they require only half the energy of a cereal crop such as wheat or barley.
The main reason is that pulses, in conjunction with symbiotic soil bacteria, produce more than enough nitrogen to feed the plant, leaving some for the following crop.
The good news about pulses is being disseminated as never before thanks to the United Nations declaring this to be the International Year of Pulses.
To build the momentum, pulse organizations around the world have jointly developed a global brand that processors and manufacturers can use to highlight the pulse content in their products.
There is much opportunity here, but to fully capitalize on it Canada must ensure that the research and development needed to sustain and expand the industry is appropriately funded.
Growers have funded most research in Canada, but given the expanding economic opportunities, there is a stronger argument that more money should come from government and industry.
