Soybean research gets $800K boost from Ottawa

An investment ofmore than $800,000 has been made by Ottawafor the development of new soybean varieties on P.E.I.

The money will fund a research project to find soybean varieties for the Japanese market that will expand export opportunities for Canadian farmers.

The hope is to develop varieties that match the tastes and demands of the Japanese consumer.

The soybean varieties and related soy products will be testedfor their individual taste, texture, odour and appearance, by the Eastern Canada Oilseeds Development Alliance.

The screening system will identify the biochemical compounds in soybeans that give soy products their distinct taste and texture, and will link this back to soybean breeding work.

"This investment will help our soybean producers cater to the expanding Japanese market, creating new opportunities to increase sales and boost their bottom lines," said Pierre Lemieux, parliamentary secretary to the minister of agriculture,in a news release.

Lemieux made the announcement Wednesday in a soybean field with National Revenue Minister Gail Shea.

The drought in the U.S. hasbeen positive for Island soybean growers, who have seen prices for soybeans jump from $400 to $500 a tonne this summer.