Momentum Surges on the Protein Highway

Area Covered by Protein Highway
Source: Consulate General of Canada White Paper

Not only is 2016 the International Year of Pulses, it is now the year of the Protein Highway. The Protein Highway is a new initiative started by the Canadian Consulate in Minneapolis and involving representatives from a variety of sectors from both Canada and the U.S. According a recent white paper from the Consulate Ge neral of Canada in Minneapolis, “The Protein Highway is an initiative to enhance cross-border collaboration among entrepreneurs, researchers and investors across the Canadian Prairies and Upper Midwest/Great Plains region and stimulate economic growth and prosperity in innovative agricultural technology solutions to meet the ever-growing global demand for plant-derived protein.” This is in response to ongoing population pressure, increasing demand on finite resources, and a documented increase in demand for “whole format protein crops, novel plant derived protein ingredients, meat replacements and specialty industrial ingredients. ”

The goal is to make the Protein Highway region into a hub for innovation to improve the entire productive value chain for crops grown in the identified region (see map). This would include; enhanced protein crop production, development of new processing facilities and food ingredient manufacturing, and incentives for new entrepreneurial and investment activity. The area is considered strategically important for its proximity to large cities and its extensive network of research centers and universities as well as health and wellness resources. Kevin Kephart, Vice President for research and economic development at South Dakota State University noted, “If you look at this region . . . where else on the globe has equal capacity to produce plant protein….There’s just no other place.” This project is still in its initial stages, USDBC will be exploring opportunities for engagement that benefit our industry.