On Wednesday, Manitoba Pulse and Soybean Growers (MPSG) launched an awareness campaign for provincially grown pulses.

The campaign runs in conjunction with the UN's International Year of Pulses, and aims to boost consumer demand.

MPSG chair Kyle Friesen says pulse acreage in Manitoba usually averages at about 250,000 to 300,000 acres a year. He says this number has been fairly static, with soybeans being a more common crop, but he hopes this campaign might help increase pulse acreage.

"I think it's going to be a longer term effect," he says, "I don't expect it's going to have a huge effect on pulse acreage for the 2016 year, but hopefully through this campaign we can increase consumption and increase demand, and hopefully create slightly better prices levels for the farmers because a lot of cropping decisions are based on economics."

Pulses, such as lentils and chickpeas, are touted for their health benefits, as they are rich in protein, fibre, and vitamins.