Posted on January, 29, 2019 at 08:55 am
By Holly Demaree-Saddler
CHARLOTTETOWN, PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND, CANADA — Canada is investing more than C$4 million to the Atlantic Grains Council under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership to support and advance grain and oilseed research.
“The grains and oilseeds sector plays a vital role in Atlantic Canada’s economy, producing top-quality products and providing good, middle-class jobs,” said Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Lawrence MacAulay. “By investing in research and working together, industry, scientists and governments, our government is helping grow the sector and create opportunities for farmers and their families in rural communities across Atlantic Canada for years to come.”
This funding includes C$3.2 million under the Partnership’s AgriScience Program, and C$260,655 each from the provinces of Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, and C$44,550 from Newfoundland and Labrador. With eight of the 11 projects taking place at the Harrington Research Centre, researchers in Prince Edward Island are leading much of the work.
The Atlantic Grains Council focuses on research for Atlantic grains and oilseeds producers in a variety of crops in the Atlantic region, including barley, corn, oats, soybeans and wheat. The council is run by producers for producers, and is the only regional organization to represent grains and oilseeds producers on a regional and national level.
The funding will be used to support research efforts focused on improving producer productivity and competitiveness, while preserving and protecting soil and water resources, in order to support the long-term sustainability of grains and oilseeds cropping systems in Atlantic Canada.
According to the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC), in 2017, crop receipts for the grains and oilseeds sector in the Atlantic provinces equaled C$83.5 million, which is 10% of total crop receipts in the region.
“I want to thank our partners in government, including Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and the Atlantic Canadian departments of agriculture, for continuing to support our vision of improving and growing the Atlantic grains and oilseeds sector through producer-led research,” Roy Culberson, interim chairman, Atlantic Grains Council. “With results that can easily be interpreted for local conditions, this research will improve outcomes for our producers in Atlantic Canada.”
The Canadian Agricultural Partnership is a five-year, C$3 billion investment by federal, provincial and territorial governments to strengthen the agriculture and agri-food sector.
Source: WORLD-GRAIN.COM