Funded by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and in partnership with Genome Alberta and Ontario Genomics, the newly announced projects aim to bring genomics-based innovations to market that enhance farming efficiencies while reducing environmental impacts from food production.
Media Release
Saskatoon, SK: Winnipeg, MB – July 21, 2026:
Genome Prairie formally announced today four new genomics projects focused on commercializing biotechnologies or processes aimed at enhancing crop yields to strengthen Canada’s economy and supply chains.
The four new projects are funded via the recently launched HARVEST Harnessing Agriculture for Research, Value-add Environmental Solutions and Technology), a Canada-wide commercialization funding opportunity launched in early 2026. Each of the four new projects is part of HARVEST’s PACT (Primary Agriculture Clean Technologies) stream, which offers matching project support intended to help for-profit enterprises commercialize innovations that reduce environmental impacts while improving efficiencies in farming, ranching, and other on-farm activities. These innovations may also include precision agriculture, soil and nutrient management technologies and systems that cut greenhouse gases, water use, and waste at the source of food production.
The four companies receiving PACT funding support are:
ABAzyne Bioscience (Saskatoon, Saskatchewan), for the development of a treatment featuring a naturally occurring plant hormone that gives crops an extra level of protection during unexpected cold snaps/frost. Project value: $1.38M.
Performance Plants (Kingston, Ontario), for the development of high-yielding canola varieties that are drought and heat resistant while capturing more atmospheric GHG emissions. Project value: $1.15M.
VIVE Crop Protection (Mississauga, Ontario), for the creation of a precision pesticide which targets the genes of specific crop-damaging pests. Project value: $1.15M.
Lucent Biosciences (West Vancouver, British Columbia), for the development of a biodegradable controlled-release fertilizer to maintain or raise crop yields as an alternative to conventional nitrogen fertilizers. Project value: $1.2M.
The four PACT projects will be co-led by Genome Prairie, based in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan and Winnipeg, Manitoba, and Genome Alberta, which has offices in Calgary and Edmonton, Alberta.
Funding for the HARVEST initiative is provided by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada via the Agriculture Clean Technology Program Research and Innovation Stream – Accelerator.
QUOTES
Genome Prairie is delighted to announce the swath of new projects within the HARVEST funding initiative. We are particularly pleased to partner with Genome Alberta to administer four new projects within HARVEST’s Primary Agriculture Clean Technology stream. I am very confident each project will develop or enhance innovations that will benefit the nation’s agricultural sector, which will benefit Canadians as a whole.
– Dr. Lester Young, Genome Prairie Chief Scientific Officer
QUICK FACTS
- HARVEST is funded via a pilot initiative under Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s Agricultural Clean Technology Program: Research and Innovation Stream. It provides up to $30 million in funding over 2 years through the Agricultural Clean Technology Program. The program supports technology development at a range of pre-market readiness levels, with a focus on early stages of development, as well as late-stage technology demonstration.
- HARVEST initiative is divided into two distinct streams – one PACT, and the other wasteCANcreate. The wasteCANcreate stream focuses on upcycling or reusing common agricultural and/or food and beverage processing side streams to improve existing processes and commercialize new bio-based products. Projects within wasteCANcreate will scale biological solutions, such as microbes (e.g., bacteria, yeasts, microalgae) and/or enzymes, to upcycle side streams into valuable products.
- The PACT-funded projects began research and commercialization activities in the spring of 2026. All projects will wrap up by March of 2028.
- Genome Prairie is a non-profit organization that supports stakeholders across Manitoba and Saskatchewan in capturing and maximizing the benefits of advanced research in genomics and related biosciences. This role is achieved by aligning the partners and resources needed to develop and manage targeted projects addressing regional priorities. Genome Prairie also enables regional researchers to participate in Genome Canada’s competitive granting process for large-scale projects.
- The HARVEST initiative is led by Ontario Genomics, a not-for-profit organization that receives funding from the Ontario government, Genome Canada and other public and private partners for strategic initiatives. Established in 2000, Ontario Genomics’ mission is to lead the application of genomics-based solutions across key sectors of the economy to drive economic growth, improved quality of life and global leadership for Ontario.
- Genome Prairie and Genome Alberta co-lead the PACT funding stream within the HARVEST initiative. Since 2005, Genome Alberta has been a convenor and catalyst, bridging knowledge and the academic sector to government and industry partners to realize the potential of Alberta-made genomics solutions for all.
- Genome Prairie represents one of six independent regional Genome Centres in Canada. This federated model optimizes investments in genomics research and innovation by aligning regional strengths and needs with national priorities—and by mobilizing industry-academic partnerships.
- Genome Prairie has a strong track record of attracting investment dollars to its region. In recent years, Genome Prairie was awarded the lead and co-lead roles on five large-scale genomics projects totalling over $27 million through the Climate-Smart Agriculture and Food Systems (CSAFS) initiative. Genome Prairie currently administers 15 active genomics projects valued at more than $55 million.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THIS MEDIA RELEASE PLEASE CONTACT
Tony Bassett
Director of Communications
Genome Prairie
text/voice: 306.881.0255
email: tbassett@genomeprairie.ca
