Growing Forward 2 Supports Agriculture Industry in Newfoundland and Labrador

News Release

Local Projects Funded Through Federal-Provincial Initiative

August 12, 2014 - St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador - Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

Growing Forward 2 (GF2) continues to deliver solid results for Newfoundland and Labrador's agriculture industry through joint investments in projects that support innovation, sustainability and competitiveness.

In 2013, the federal and provincial governments invested close to $6 million in 158 projects to introduce more leading edge technology on farms and in the processing sector, expand markets, bring new land into agricultural production, enhance food safety systems throughout the industry, expand measures to make the sector more environmentally sustainable and increase public awareness of the importance of the industry in the province.

For 2014, another $6 million has been allocated for an additional 95 projects in the province.

GF2 is a five-year policy framework for Canada's agriculture sector that came into effect on April 1, 2013. It provides $2 billion for federal-provincial-territorial strategic initiatives nationally, which is a 50 percent increase in cost-shared innovation funding, as well as $1 billion for federal-only strategic initiatives.

Quick facts

Under GF2, Agriculture Canada and the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador have committed $37 million over five years for programs that aim to benefit the local industry.
The biggest investment in the first year of GF2 funding was made in innovation, where $2.2 million was used to support projects ranging from new equipment like large scale berry harvesters and robotic milkers, to energy efficient greenhouses and improved crop storage facilities.
Nearly $1.6 million was spent on environmental improvements on farms and in the processing sector, including better systems to manage manure and waste products and the adoption of environmental plans by farmers to reduce environmental risks in their operations.
More than $520,000 was invested in land clearing that will bring new acreage into agricultural production.
The Newfoundland and Labrador agriculture and agrifoods industry is continually developing and diversifying with annual revenues totaling about $130 million. The value of production from the agriculture and agrifoods industry, including secondary processing, is approximately $500 million per year.

Quotes

"Growing Forward 2 emphasizes our Government's commitment to the agricultural industry given its significant contribution to the Canadian economy. We are proud to partner with Newfoundland and Labrador to make targeted investments in priority areas that benefit the entire sector through increased productivity, jobs and growth."
- Federal Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz

"Projects funded under Growing Forward 2 are part of the Provincial Government's commitment to the agriculture and agrifoods industry as a means to diversify the provincial economy. From 2013 to 2015, our government will contribute $4.9 million under Growing Forward 2 whereas over the five-year lifespan of this agreement the province will contribute $14.8 million. During the first Growing Forward Agreement, the Provincial Government provided $10.7 million to help develop the industry and to assist farmers and producers whose innovative ideas are coming to life under these agreements."
- The Honourable Derrick Dalley, Minister of Natural Resources and Minister Responsible for the Forestry and Agrifoods Agency

Additional links

Contacts

Jeff English
Director of Communications
Office of the Honourable Gerry Ritz
613-773-1059

Media Relations
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Ottawa, Ontario
613-773-7972
1-866-345-7972
Follow us on Twitter: @AAFC_Canada

Diana Quinton
Director of Communications
Department of Natural Resources
709-729-5282
709-631-8155

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Growing Forward 2 Supports Agriculture Industry in Newfoundland and Labrador

News Release

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