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Agriculture Roundup for Tuesday November 16, 2021

Nov 16, 2021 | 12:30 PM

MELFORT, Sask. — New research on chickpeas hopes to improve this important food source for low- and lower-middle-income countries

The University of Saskatchewan (USask) is part of a global team that used DNA to track the genetic evolution of the chickpea to create more nutritious and adaptable varieties.

Dr. Bunyamin Tar’an with the USask College of Agriculture and Bioresources is involved in the overall research, sequencing the genetics of 200 Canadian chickpea plants, as well as performing associated data analyses.

“Chickpeas are one of the main protein sources for hundreds of millions of people especially in South Asia, Africa and other parts of the world,” Tar’an said. “The research provides an avenue to support global efforts to develop chickpeas with even better nutritional value as well as more climate-resilient varieties.”

Funding for the USask research was provided by the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture and the Saskatchewan Pulse Growers.

Western Canadian farmers were hit hard by damaging hailstorms this growing season. This resulted in a near-record number of farmers claims.

Canadian Crop Hail Association (CCHA) said the high number of claims came from fewer storms.

CCHA president Scott McQueen said payments to prairie producers exceeded $322 million compared to the $309 million collected in premiums. The most damage occurred in Saskatchewan.

McQueen said higher loss ratios one year usually translate into higher premiums the following year.

alice.mcfarlane@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @farmnewsNOW