Governments of Canada and Saskatchewan make $9.8 million investment into crop research

News release

January 12, 2021 – Saskatoon, Saskatchewan – Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

Today, Canada’s Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, Marie-Claude Bibeau, and Saskatchewan Agriculture Minister David Marit announced $9.8 million in funding for 39 crop-related research projects through Saskatchewan’s Agriculture Development Fund (ADF).

Support for ADF projects is awarded on a competitive basis to researchers looking to examine areas of importance to Saskatchewan producers.

In addition to funding provided by the federal and provincial governments, the following industry partners have contributed a total of over $3.1 million in funding to these projects:

  • Western Grains Research Foundation
  • Saskatchewan Alfalfa Seed Producers
  • Saskatchewan Barley Development Commission
  • Saskatchewan Canola Development Commission
  • Saskatchewan Oat Development Commission
  • Saskatchewan Pulse Growers
  • Saskatchewan Wheat Development Commission
  • Alberta Wheat Commission
  • Manitoba Crop Alliance

Quotes

"Despite challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Canada’s crop sector has continued to work hard to ensure Canadians and families around the world have access to high-quality products. 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.”
-       The Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food 

“Targeted investments in crop research provides producers and agri-businesses with new tools, technologies and methods that improve productivity and sustainability. This year’s projects will expand the growth potential of the industry by exploring topics such as value-added processing, variety improvement, improved crop yields and reducing production risks. Innovation will help our producers meet the Saskatchewan Growth Plan objectives of increasing crop production to 45 million tonnes, increasing agriculture exports to $20 billion and increasing value-added revenue to $10 billion.”
David Marit, Saskatchewan Agriculture Minister

“Sask Wheat has invested $12.9 million of producer funding through the ADF process since 2015. The program provides opportunities for quality, innovative projects that will benefit Saskatchewan grain producers. The ADF funding process allows us to collaborate with other Prairie crop commissions, connect with researchers and fund projects that are developing crop varieties with greater yield potentials and resistance to common pests and environmental stressors. The benefits of farmer-funded research goes beyond farm gate, increasing market opportunities for Canadian crops and leading to a stronger agriculture sector and provincial economy.”
-       Brett Halstead, Chair, Saskatchewan Wheat Development Commission 

Quick facts

  • The ADF is supported through the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, a five-year, $3-billion investment by federal, provincial and territorial governments to strengthen the agriculture and agri-food sector. This includes a $388-million investment in strategic initiatives for Saskatchewan agriculture.

Associated links

Contacts

Jean-Sébastien Comeau
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food
jean-sebastien.comeau@canada.ca
343-549-2326

Media Relations
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Ottawa, Ontario
1-866-345-7972
aafc.mediarelations-relationsmedias.aac@canada.ca
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Charlotte McGraw
Saskatchewan Agriculture
Charlotte.McGraw@gov.sk.ca
306-787-4031

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