SASKATOON, SASKATCHEWAN, CANADA — Canada plans to invest C$9.8 million in funding for 39 crop-related research projects through Saskatchewan’s Agriculture Development Fund (ADF).

“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,” said Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food. “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.”

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

“Targeted investments in crop research provides producers and agri-businesses with new tools, technologies and methods that improve productivity and sustainability,” said David Marit, Saskatchewan Agriculture Minister. “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 C$20 billion and increasing value-added revenue to C$10 billion.”

In addition to funding provided by the federal and provincial governments, the following industry partners have contributed a total of over C$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

“Sask Wheat has invested $12.9 million of producer funding through the ADF process since 2015,” said Brett Halstead, chair of the Saskatchewan Wheat Development Commission. “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.”

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