Canada's farmers are committed to producing high-quality food for Canadians, Quebecers, and the world. Investing in innovative research ensures farmers have access to resilient, high-performing crops that keep Canada's agri-food sector strong.
Today, on behalf of the Honourable Heath MacDonald, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, Daniel Gobeil, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food and Member of Parliament for Chicoutimi-Le Fjord, and the Honourable Joël Lightbound, Minister of Government Transformation, Public Works and Procurement, Quebec Lieutenant and Member of Parliament for Louis-Hébert, announced up to $571,521 in funding over three years to Céréla Inc. through the AgriScience Program - Projects Component, an initiative under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership.
With this funding, Céréla Inc. will use artificial intelligence (AI) to develop new crop varieties years faster than traditional breeding methods. By using AI to speed up development, Céréla will create high-yielding soybean and barley varieties adapted to Eastern Canada's growing conditions. This work focuses on breeding barley that resists Fusarium head blight and soybeans without anti-trypsin factors.
Shortening development time means farmers get better crops sooner. These faster results will help growers protect their crops against plant diseases and extreme weather, get quality products to market, and keep Canadian agriculture competitive.
The Government of Canada invests in innovative tools like AI to help farmers adapt to changing weather, protect our food supply, and grow the economy.
