Adapted from a press release
GreenVenus has established a strategic partnership with Plant Research (NZ). Together, they aim to pioneer the development of novel field pea varieties devoid of undesirable attributes such as beany smells and indigestibility and enhance climate resilience for global cultivation.
GreenVenus said the collaboration is centered on crafting premium, clean protein ingredients tailored for human and pet consumption, promising to reshape the market landscape. While soybeans currently dominate the plant protein market, accounting for over 60% of total plant protein sales, the demand for pea proteins is experiencing exponential growth worldwide. This surge, said GreenVenus, is attributed to their superior amino acid compositions, bioactive peptides, fiber profile and allergen-free nature compared to other plant protein sources.
"Plant Research (NZ) brings competitive elite pea lines and breeding expertise to GreenVenus's research," said Adrian Russell, CEO of Plant Research (NZ). "This collaboration is primed to expedite the development of groundbreaking, high-yield varieties, consequently enhancing grower profitability and offering superior protein options for consumers and the animal feed sectors."
Despite offering superior dietary benefits, field pea varieties still face challenges in achieving maximum yields and demonstrating resilience to changing climatic conditions. While breeding efforts have introduced several modern cultivars that tolerate common diseases, they have proven insufficient in controlling high disease and extreme climatic pressures during unfavorable years.
"GreenVenus's cutting-edge Primavera gene-editing technology and gene discovery tool, integrated with state-of-the-art machine learning approaches, are poised to accelerate the creation of next-generation cultivars," said Dr. Shiv Tiwari, CEO of GreenVenus. "These cultivars are expected to swiftly adapt to climate fluctuations and showcase sought-after traits that align with the industry's requirements for clean, taste-neutral proteins."
Plant proteins are poised to play a significant role in carbon offsetting by substituting carbon-intensive animal protein sources in human diets and animal feed, said GreenVenus. Overcoming hurdles such as beany flavor and indigestibility marks a crucial step in facilitating widespread adoption and contributing to a more sustainable future.
GreenVenus is an innovative agtech business committed to delivering superior fruits, vegetables, and grains with improved nutrition, better taste, and reduced food wastage.