Agriculture Canada says a new pulse grain offers the chance to expand prairie farm markets.
Researchers are looking at the sweet white lupin as a new source of high quality protein and a source of essential nutrients.
Sweet white lupin is most commonly grown in Europe and could be another crop to help Canadian farmers diversify.
Agriculture Canada says sweet white lupin has numerous advantages.
The crop is high yielding can be used for human consumption or a highly nutritious feed for cattle.
White lupins provide nitrogen into the soil, which helps the next season crop, reducing the need to apply fertilizer.
White lupins are harvested earlier than some other crops like soybeans and help to capture carbon from the air.
A three year project is underway in Alberta, Ontario, P.E.I. and B.C. to test the crop under Canadian growing conditions.
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