Changing the Face of Agriculture
While technological changes and changing
economic markets were encouraging the
growing of pulses, other changes, including
reduced summer fallow acreage, continuous
cropping, and direct seeding, were also
occurring. Pulse crops are used to extend
and diversify crop rotations, increase
available nitrogen, improve soil management
and contribute to soil organic matter. The
nitrogen-fixing ability of pulses, improved
control of disease and weeds through better
rotations, and a trend towards a favourable
environmental profile of producers and
processors have all contributed to the increase
in acreage of pulses in the Canadian prairies.
In addition, there has been increased demand
for an improved nutritional and energy profile
within the industry including the export of
a low-glycaemic, high protein food and the
production of alternative energy fuels such as
biodiesel.
Saskatchewan is the heart of Canada’s pulse
industry, producing around 70% of the
country’s crop yearly. Saskatchewan is also
the world’s leading exporter of peas and lentils
and a major supplier of chickpeas. There
are over 100 pulse processors and buyers
Food
High Protein, Low
Glycaemic Ingredient
The Four Fs
The global demand chain for agriculture has
been fuelled by population explosion, as well
as changing key industry drivers. New industry
trends have emerged because of food calls for
higher nutritional value ingredients, energy
calls for alternative fuels, and environmental
calls for extension and diversification of
crop rotations, increased available nitrogen,
improved soil management, and contribution
to soil organic matter. The changing face of
agriculture is no longer limited to one sector,
but spans across health and nutrition, energy,
environment and economic sectors.
Fuel
Fibre
Biodiesel and Ethanol Nutritional and
Alternative Energy
Industrial Use
Healthy People. Healthy Planet. Huge
Market.
According to Saskatchewan’s State of Trade
2005, Saskatchewan was Canada’s largest
exporter of peas, lentils, mustard, canary seed
and other specialty seed crops. In terms of
value of exports, Saskatchewan was also the
largest exporter of lentils, peas, mustard seed
and canary seed in the world. Saskatchewan’s
export value for peas and lentils represented
approximately $350 million.
AgriKultuur |AgriCulture
in Canada, most of which are located in
Saskatchewan. The climate of Saskatchewan
offers many opportunities for quality pulse
production. Cold winters and dry summers
limit disease and insect problems and help
to keep production costs down. As cereal
crops grown on the Prairies are relatively
low in value, pulse crop production provides
a promising alternative despite higher
production costs. Other key growing regions
are the Mon-Dak region of North Dakota and
Montana, Victoria province in Australia and
the South-eastern Anatolia regio n of Turkey.
Feed
Safe Feedstock for
Livestock Industry
Production from AGT Foods represents nearly
45% of the global market, making us the
dominant market exporter in pulses from all
origins.
Acknowledgement:
Article reproduced courtesy of AGT Foods:
http://www.agtfoods.com/about-pulses/
history-of-pulses.html
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