Manitoba announces protein research strategy

Agriculture Minister Derek Johnson announced that the province has unveiled the Manitoba Protein Research Strategy (MPRS).

MPRS goes into detail on 46 strategic projects regarding four main themes. These include novel sustainable protein product development and processing, digital agriculture to enable sustainable food systems, waste, water, by-product, and co-product utilization, and climate resilience of sustainable protein food systems.

"One of the key pillars of the Manitoba Protein Advantage is the harnessing of the great wealth of agri-food knowledge and research expertise in our province," notes Johnson. "The Manitoba Protein Research Strategy will strengthen the working relationship between Manitoba’s protein research community, industry, and government, leading to collaboration between our province and global experts and institutions to advance strategic priorities in protein research and innovation."

The province has also decided to invest $1.5 million to help hire a new Strategic Research Chair in Sustainable Protein. The chair would work with researchers and businesses while looking toward long-term economic growth.

"Through the effective collaboration of government, industry, academia, and non-profit organizations, we have succeeded in developing a strategy that will be key to Manitoba’s success in the global protein market," says Dickson Gould, chair, Manitoba Protein Consortium. "I extend my sincere appreciation to everyone who contributed to this important work and shares our vision of Manitoba as a world-class provider of sustainable protein in the global marketplace."

To learn more about MPRS, click here.