National consortium launches AI-driven platform to accelerate Canadian pea breeding

Protein Industries Canada announced a new national consortium on 14 January 2026, designed to accelerate the development of improved pea varieties through the use of genomic selection and artificial intelligence.

Unveiled at the Saskatchewan Crops Forum, the two-year project brought together GIFS Ag Tech Enterprise Inc. and DL Seeds, with the University of Saskatchewan’s Crop Development Centre and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada serving as core partners. The initiative formed part of Protein Industries Canada’s Capacity Building Program and aimed to modernize how pea breeding decisions were made across the country.

• Protein Industries Canada launched a two-year project to create an AI-driven pea genomic selection platform.

• The consortium will consolidate genetic, phenotypic, environmental, and pedigree data from breeders nationwide.

• The project received CA$1.8 million in funding, including CA$1.4 million from Protein Industries Canada.

At the center of the project was the creation of a national pea variety development database that would integrate large volumes of genetic and agronomic data into a single analytical platform. By allowing breeders to evaluate thousands of data points simultaneously, the system was designed to improve selection accuracy, reduce development timelines, and lower costs compared with traditional breeding approaches.

The platform would be delivered through a national genomic selection breeding consortium, led by the Global Institute for Food Security at the University of Saskatchewan via its non-profit arm, GIFS Ag Tech Enterprise Inc. Both public and private sector breeding organizations were expected to participate.

Federal ministers framed the initiative as a strategic investment in agricultural competitiveness. Mélanie Joly, Canada’s Minister of Industry, said the project would strengthen Canada’s role in the sustainable economy while delivering benefits across the value chain, from improved yields for farmers to greater choice for consumers.

Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Heath MacDonald said the use of artificial intelligence in plant breeding would help Canadian agriculture remain competitive while advancing sustainability and resilience across the food system.

Protein Industries Canada Chief Executive Officer Tyler Groeneveld said the project addressed a foundational challenge in the food system: crop genetics.

“A strong and secure Canadian food supply chain starts at the crop genetic level,” Groeneveld said. “This platform combines sector expertise with AI technology to ensure crop development is more resource-efficient, less expensive, and focused on what farmers and ingredient manufacturers need.”

According to Protein Industries Canada, the platform would enable breeders to more rapidly identify optimal trait combinations, helping new varieties reach the market faster and at lower cost. The organization said this approach would allow Canada to build on its reputation for high-quality crops while supporting growth in value-added food and ingredient markets.

The initiative came as global demand continued to rise for protein-rich, functional ingredients derived from crops such as yellow peas. Canadian breeders were under increasing pressure to deliver varieties with higher yields, improved processing characteristics, and stronger performance across diverse growing conditions.

GIFS Chief Executive Officer Dr Steven R. Webb said the project represented a new model for collaboration across the pea value chain, with support from growers, researchers, government agencies, and industry groups.

“We’re excited about what this means for Canada,” Webb said. “It will accelerate the development of high-yielding, high-quality yellow pea varieties tailored to Canadian growing and processing conditions.”

Webb said the consortium approach was expected to significantly increase genetic gains and enhance Canada’s global competitiveness in pulses. He added that the long-term impact could unlock substantial additional value for farmers while supporting Canada’s ambitions in value-added protein production.

Funding for the project totaled CA$1.8 million, with Protein Industries Canada contributing CA$1.4 million and consortium partners investing the remainder.

Protein Industries Canada is one of Canada’s five Global Innovation Clusters and has focused its strategy on expanding value-added processing of high-protein crops. The organization said initiatives like the pea genomic selection platform were critical to capturing economic value while supporting productivity, sustainability, and resilience across the food system.