Dr. Bunyamin Tar’an, Professor at the Crop Development Centre (CDC) and Ministry of Agriculture Strategic Research Program Chair in Chickpea and Flax Breeding and Genetics, has been recognized for the innovation he has brought to the pulse industry as recipient of the Pulse Promoter Award by SPG.
Dr. Tar’an grew up in Palembang City, South Sumatra, Indonesia, where he completed the undergraduate program in Agronomy from Sriwijaya University. Moving to Guelph, Ontario, he completed his M.Sc. and PhD from the University of Guelph, specializing in plant breeding and genetics.
From there, Dr. Tar’an moved to Saskatoon in 2000 and joined the CDC and USask Department of Plant Science as a postdoctoral research fellow. He was appointed as Agri-Food Innovation Fund Chair in chickpea breeding and genetics from 2010‒2021.
“We at Saskatchewan Pulse Growers congratulate Dr. Bunyamin Tar’an on being named pulse promoter,” says Shaun Dyrland, Chair with SPG.
Today, Dr. Tar’an’s research is focused on the development of superior chickpea and flax cultivars for Western Canadian environments. He has released 16 chickpea cultivars and co-developed several other pulse cultivars. He has published 116 articles mostly on chickpeas, including four articles in Nature. This is in addition to countless presentations and extension work providing valuable information to growers about chickpeas and other crops.
“Dr. Tar’an has been instrumental in making chickpeas a viable crop option for Saskatchewan growers,” continues Shaun Dyrland. “His work developing new chickpea varieties with improved disease resistance and agronomic traits have helped chickpeas grow from a very niche and high risk crop to a steady part of growers’ rotations.”
The Pulse Promoter Award recognizes individuals who have made a significant contribution to the development of Saskatchewan’s pulse industry in the areas of production, marketing, promotion, research, extension, processing, management, and/or innovation.
Accountable to and funded by growers, SPG’s strategic direction is guided by a nine member, grower-elected, Board of Directors. SPG’s mission is to provide leadership for profitable growth for Saskatchewan pulses.
For more information, please contact:
Amanda Carlson
Communications Manager
Saskatchewan Pulse Growers
Phone: 306-668-0116
Email: acarlson@saskpulse.com
Amber Johnson
Director of Marketing and Communications
Saskatchewan Pulse Growers
Phone: 306-668-3668
Email: ajohnson@saskpulse.com