WINNIPEG, MANITOBA, CANADA — Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Minister Gerry Ritz announced on Oct. 27 an investment of C$15 million to the Canadian International Grains Institute (Cigi) to support market development efforts and sales of Canadian field crops in global markets through customer education and training.

This investment will support Cigi’s ongoing efforts to share technical and market knowledge with customers around the globe, further strengthening the competitive advantage for Canadian field crops. This will be achieved through technical exchanges, new crop missions, educational programs for global clients, and domestic training.

For the past 42 years, Cigi has worked to develop and maintain international markets and provide technical support to customers in their use of Canadian field crops. In 2013-14 Cigi delivered 63 programs involving more than 2,200 international and domestic participants. Fifteen missions were held in 33 countries, covering more locations than ever in a single year. Cigi has planned a roster of nearly 60 programs and missions for 2014-15.

“Canada's emphasis has always been on the quality, consistency, and reliability of its crops and Cigi works with the field crop industry to ensure that buyers are aware of the quality characteristics of each year's crop,” said Cigi Chief Executive Officer JoAnne Buth. “Cigi provides on-going technical assistance, training, and visits to customer countries to maintain these markets and open up new opportunities. The AMP funding as well as the farmer check-off on wheat and durum ensures Cigi will continue this important work to position Canadian field crops in the domestic and international marketplace.”