Canada’s potato growers are hoping new opportunities will emerge from a recently announced Potato Innovation Network 2020.
The federal government has committed $590,000 to the network, which will strive to find new uses and markets for potatoes. Support is also coming from the potato industry and five provinces, including Manitoba and Alberta. The total value of the project is about $830,000.
“The money is to look at other potential uses beyond just food,” said Garry Sloik, secretary-manager of Keystone Vegetable Producers in Manitoba. “We know we can produce more volume of potatoes in Canada and in North America than can be consumed.”
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The network will attempt to find more food uses for potatoes while also researching specific health and nutritional components of the crop that could be extracted for new products. Industrial uses will also be part of the research.
“From Manitoba’s point, it would be nice if we could find some markets for some of the off-grade stuff, be it starches or whatever,” Sloik said.
The Potato Innovation Network will pull together stakeholders in potato science and innovation from across Canada.
BioAtlantech, New Brunswick’s agency for the development of the life sciences industry, will lead the project in co-operation with the Canadian Horticultural Council.
When announcing the federal commitment of funding, Conservative MP Mike Allen said the aim is to secure a stronger future for the country’s potato industry.
