Strategic Plan

SPG will achieve this vision by undertaking work in four key focus areas: Research & Variety Development, Market Growth & Diversification, Grower Engagement & Extension, and Market Access & Advocacy. 

Focus Area 1: Research & Variety Development 

Objective: Increase the profitability of established pulse crops and expand pulse crop options for Saskatchewan growers. 

On-farm yield gains for growers come from enhancement of genetic yield potential, reducing agronomic constraints to achieving maximum economic yield potential, and ensuring at least one pulse crop is available for every acre of arable land in Saskatchewan. To support yield potential, we need to invest in furthering genetics, reducing the impact of weeds and disease, and fostering the development of minor acre pulse crops. 

Strategies: 

• 1.1 Expand pulse breeding and variety development with public and private partners.  
• 1.2 Seek out global expertise, novel and innovative technologies, and multi-disciplinary partners to find solutions to root rot challenges.  
• 1.3 Expand research capacity through infrastructure and people development.  
• 1.4 Support research that reduces agronomic constraints and maximizes yield and sustainability.  
• 1.5 Support research that promotes the viability, expansion, and adoption of chickpeas, faba beans, soybeans, and other minor pulse crops.  
• 1.6 Support research that enables the development and effectiveness of genetic improvement tools for pulse crops.  

Focus Area 2: Market Growth & Diversification 

Objective: Build diversified demand by expanding the use of pulses and increasing market opportunities. 

SPG recognizes that pulse growers are highly dependent on a small number of markets and know we cannot simply increase pulse production, but also must diversify and expand reliable markets for pulses and pulse ingredients. The Canadian pulse industry has a goal to diversify 25% of Canadian-grown pulses into new uses and new markets by 2030 by demonstrating the value pulses and pulse ingredients have to offer to foodservice, packaged food, pet food, and feed companies including their nutritional benefits and the role pulses play in sustainable food production.  

Strategies: 

• 2.1 Create diversified market interest through outreach to the foodservice sector in the U.S. and in Europe.  
• 2.2 Support Pulse Canada’s market development efforts to promote the sustainability and nutritional benefits of pulses and pulse ingredients to grow existing markets and establish new markets.  
• 2.3 Explore improved processing, functionality, and novel uses for pulse ingredients through research and market development.  
• 2.4 Support the provincial government’s efforts to promote Saskatchewan pulses globally.  

Focus Area 3: Grower Engagement & Extension 

Objective: Create, gather, and communicate information that enables profitable and sustainable pulse crops for Saskatchewan growers. 

SPG strives to provide growers and agronomists with relevant, timely, practical, and useful information on pulse production, marketing, and levy investments while prioritizing opportunities for engagement with growers to seek out feedback, ideas, needs, and concerns for the Saskatchewan pulse industry. 

Strategies: 

• 3.1 Provide timely information and promote adoption of farming practices to agronomists and growers that enable profitable and sustainable pulse crops.  
• 3.2 Develop avenues for members to communicate their ideas, needs, and concerns for the pulse sector.  
• 3.3 Build awareness and demonstrate the value of SPG; how activities, investments, and achieved outcomes directly benefit pulse growers in Saskatchewan.  
• 3.4 Develop clear and transparent materials and communication tools that explain the value of and prepare pulse growers for changes to pulse breeding and variety commercialization.  
• 3.5 Provide access to transparent and independent information on variety characteristics and environment interaction.  

Focus Area 4: Market Access & Advocacy  

Objective: Promote the interest of Saskatchewan pulse growers by actively engaging and collaborating with provincial and national partners. 

Maintaining and expanding access to key export markets, being viewed globally as a reliable and consistent suppliers of pulse crops, having access to enabling regulatory environments, having the ear of government in advocacy efforts, and having a strong base of public trust in agriculture directly impacts the ability for growers across Canada to be successful. This is why SPG, along with other similar organizations work together and also fund a number provincial and national associations to work on our behalf on these issues. 

Strategies: 

• 4.1 Advocate for a high-functioning transportation system in collaboration with Pulse Canada and Grain Growers of Canada.  
• 4.2 Maintain and expand market access by actively advocating for strong trade relations and reduced trade barriers in collaboration with Pulse Canada, Grain Growers of Canada, and Soy Canada.  
• 4.3 Support industry efforts to promote the sustainability of pulses.  
• 4.4 Enable regulatory environments to ensure access to the inputs, technology, and programs pulse growers need to grow a profitable pulse crop.  
• 4.5 Create and foster public trust in crop production in collaboration with Farm & Food Care Saskatchewan and Agriculture in the Classroom Saskatchewan.  
• 4.6 Advocate for pulse growers on relevant issues in collaboration and partnership with industry and government stakeholders.  

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