The provincial and federal government began the annual CropSphere conference in Saskatoon today by announcing the yearly joint contribution to the Agriculture Development Fund (ADF) would total $9.8 million in funding toward agriculture research projects.
Saskatchewan Agriculture and Agriculture Canada both contribute to the ADF through the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, a $3 billion investment agreement between the two levels of government to improve the agriculture sector.
“Investing in research helps producers grow the food the world needs in the most efficient and sustainable way possible. These applied research projects will help producers innovate and create growth,” said federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Marie-Claude Bibeau, during the virtual conference.
Saskatchewan exports of grains, oilseeds and pulses were reportedly up by 40 per cent last year, said Bibeau, showing there is value in maintaining forward progress in the industry.
The ADF will use this year’s funding to support 39 agriculture-related research projects this year, including projects by the University of Saskatchewan, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Canada-Saskatchewan Irrigation Diversification, and several other post-secondary institutions.
A number of co-funders are also contributing a total of $3.1 million in funding to these projects, including Saskatchewan Pulse Growers, Saskatchewan Wheat Development Commission and the Western Grains Research Foundation, among others.
Last year’s funding to the ADF totalled just under $11 million for 47 projects, with 2019 seeing a $12 million investment into 44 projects.
Premier Scott Moe spoke on behalf of Saskatchewan Minister of Agriculture Dave Marit, saying the research will focus on areas within the agriculture industry like value-added crops, variety and crop yield improvements, improved environmental outcomes and reduction of production risks.
“Research helps makes Saskatchewan producers and agribusinesses more productive, more profitable, more sustainable and ultimately more competitive,” said Moe. “The projects chosen support a wide variety of areas that are important [and] we want to thank our federal partners for their support in our community.”
These research projects will add value to Saskatchewan crops, said Moe, and will support the province’s goals of increasing value-added crop revenue to $10 billion and increasing crop production to 45 million tonnes both by 2030.
This year’s funding will focus largely on pulses, cereals and crops-related research. The U of S will receive the largest amount of funding at $5.7 million, for a total of 18 projects, with Agriculture Canada following with $2.5 million for 12 projects.
U of S research projects include developing high-yielding kabuli chickpea cultivars, dry bean, and pea varieties for use in western Canada, as well as research on the value of lentil variation in ecosystems and carbon data collection to use in climate-smart agriculture in Saskatchewan.
Martin Reaney at the U of S, also received funding for his research into the viability of biodegradable plastics created from canola and pulses.
Bibeau announced that she will be launching consultations as part of a federal review of the Canada Grain Act, to be held online until April 30.
“We need your ideas on changes to the Act that will ensure Canada remains a strong competitor in the global grain market,” said Bibeau. “We will reach out to the entire sector in collaboration with the Canadian Grain Commission supporting this work.”
She also highlighted the federal government’s commitments to supporting producers in using more sustainable farming practices, as part of the federal climate plan, and the work to expand trade agreements overseas for Canadian crop products.
