b'PULSE PROCESSINGThe Future of Pulse Processing in Alberta Value-added opportunities abound for the Prairies,just dont bring it up with Alberta.PLANT PROTEIN HAS officiallyExcitement was rising for the last numberThe PPAA typically received annual become a grocery store and restaurantof years in Alberta before an abrupt culloperating funds in spring. In early March mainstay, graduating from the ranksthis past spring derailed encouragingof this year the funding was confirmed of fringe, fad and trend. Today, morework.to be extended to the PPAA for another consumers than ever demandnotThe Plant Protein Alliance of Albertayear. However, something happened preferplant-based options and(PPAA), with roots in the Albertabetween the beginning and end of the farmers across the Canada have moreFood Cluster, began in 2016 and wasmonth. The provincial government than enough product in the field toincorporated in 2018 to try and connectpulled back every nickel of support on meet demand. As unique productsall the players in the supply chainMarch 31, forcing the group to shut its continue to hit store shelves and menustogether, facilitate business opportunitiesdoors, and, really, any work being done for consumers, many in agriculture andand truly create, for the first time ever, aon value-added opportunities. The irony, the agrifood supply chain wonder aboutprotein ecosystem for the province tomany observed, is that Devin Dreeshen, opportunities to capture greater value. Itultimately bring greater economic valuethe provinces agriculture and forestry certainly seems as though some majorto Alberta. It wasnt just pulses, thoughminister, has spoken publicly multiple players have noticed.that is the dominant crop. There wastimes about Albertas need for greater While pulse production across Canadasupport and focus on hemp, flax, cereals,value-added business and to stop the carries on with big acres, farmers havesunflowers and more. When it operated,age-old practice of being simple hewers been excited to see headlines of newfour key focus areas were to leadershipof wood and drawers of water.facilities being built in both Manitobaand supporting key alliances, encourageIdeas are split on what went wrong and Saskatchewan. However, Alberta, acollaborative business relationships,and why funding was yanked and those diversified bastion of Prairie agriculture,promote new ideas and, in general, buildwith hot takes keep them behind closed seems a step behind these days.awareness.doors. Whatever the reason was, the fact remains the PPAA is dead. It held a dissolution AGM on Aug. 24, and, after paying final invoices, closed its financial accounts and made a modest donation of remaining funds to STARS Air Ambulance. Allison Ammeter, a Sylvan Lake, Alta., farmer, was the Alliances chair for its entire lifespan, and is saddened to see the doors closed after it was beginning to build positive momentum.Alberta is not embracing a value-add strategy, and they need to, says Ammeter. It is huge the protein we produce, it doesnt have 14seed.ab.ca'