Growing an environmentally sustainable agriculture sector in Quebec through science
News release
July 7, 2021 – Saint-Jean-de-l’Île-d’Orléans, Québec – Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Technology, innovation and research are crucial to farmers looking to boost production and enhance competitiveness. The research being carried out across Quebec and the entire country is helping our farmers remain well-positioned for future growth and prosperity.
Today, while speaking at Ferme Onésime Pouliot, the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, the Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, announced investments totalling more than $1.7 million in funding for nine projects across Quebec, which will help support and advance innovation within the sector. Recipients included:
- Ferme Onésime Pouliot received up to $199,551 in AAFC funding to develop techniques that will lead to the production of well-performing, healthy, disease and pest-free strawberry and raspberry plants. The plants will be more productive because they will be free of pathogens and pests, allowing producers to reduce their use of pesticides.
- Institut de recherche et de développement en agroenvironnement received up to $552,411 in AAFC funding to develop profitable organic management of Tulameen long cane raspberries above ground and under tunnels. The project will allow growers to gain market share in the organic raspberry market, while reducing pesticide use.
- Les Moulins de Soulanges Inc. received up to $43,715 in AAFC funding to understand the discrepancies between Canadian and European winter wheat to improve the bread making quality winter wheat in Eastern Canada. The funding will measure the baking qualities of Canadian winter wheats and will allow the selection of varieties best adapted to our climates.
These AgriScience projects, plus the six additional projects announced today, are advancing innovation, pre-commercial science activities and cutting-edge research.
Quotes
“The projects announced this morning under the AgriScience Program once again demonstrate our government’s commitment to supporting our farmers in developing the knowledge and know-how necessary to optimize the production of quality food while protecting the environment.”
- The Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food
“We were fortunate to receive a substantial contribution under the AgriScience program. The research project entitled “Propagation of healthy strawberry and raspberry plants” will allow the development of techniques to produce healthy, pathogen-free plants. This will have a direct impact on Canadian berry producers and also on greenhouse production, which has enormous growth potential.”
- Guy Pouliot, Owner, Ferme Onésime Pouliot
“Soilless organic berry production brings significant challenges to the Canadian horticultural sector. The IRDA happily welcomes this important contribution from the Department. It will ensure the continuity of our project, which will allow the achievement of advances adapted to the reality of Canadian farmers with respect to technical knowledge of substrates, fertilization and organic crop protection.”
- Annabelle Firlej, Researcher in Fruit Entomology at the Research and Development Institute for the Agri-Environment
Quick facts
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The AgriScience Program, an initiative under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, aims to support research activities to help industry overcome challenges and address fiscal barriers experienced by small and emerging sectors. The Program also seeks to mitigate high-risk opportunities that have the potential to yield significant returns.
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The Canadian Agricultural Partnership is a $3 billion, five-year (2018-2023) investment by federal, provincial and territorial governments to strengthen and grow Canada's agriculture and agri-food sector.
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Ferme Onésime Pouliot specializes in the production of strawberries, raspberries, blueberries and sweet potatoes. The organization focuses on supplying fresh produce to grocery stores in Quebec and other eastern Canadian provinces, as well as conducting research and promote the advancement of scientific knowledge within the sector.
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Institut de recherche et de développement en agroenvironnement is a research and development institute whose mission is to support the development of sustainable agriculture in Québec by fostering innovation and partnerships.
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Les Moulins de Soulanges are creators and producers of specialty flour. They offer innovative flour solutions for the bakery and food industries while helping the environment and promoting local, Agriculture Raisonnée™-certified farming practices.
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Contacts
Oliver Anderson
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food
oliver.anderson@agr.gc.ca
613-462-4327
Media Relations
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Ottawa, Ontario
613-773-7972
1-866-345-7972
aafc.mediarelations-relationsmedias.aac@agr.gc.ca
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