As the leadoff speakers in the CropSphere zoom online conference on Jan. 12,聽 Canada鈥檚 Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Marie-Claude Bibeau and Saskatchewan鈥檚 Premier Scott Moe announced $9.8 million in funding for 39 crop-related research projects through Saskatchewan鈥檚 Agriculture Development Fund (ADF).
鈥淒espite challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Canada鈥檚 crop sector has continued to work hard to ensure Canadians and families around the world have access to high-quality products,鈥� Bibeau said.聽鈥淚nvesting in research helps producers grow the food the world needs in the most efficient and sustainable way possible.聽聽 These applied research projects will help producers innovate and create growth.鈥�
Moe spoke of his experience in getting a degree in agriculture from the University of Saskatchewan, and of farming near Shellbrook. He said it was an important investment in one of the most important industries. He noted the development of lentils, as an example.
鈥淚 can tell you that I have very deep appreciation of how crucial crop science and research is to not, only Canadian agriculture, but also Saskatchewan agriculture. And I would say further, to the world,鈥� Moe said.
Last year Saskatchewan produced its second-largest crop on record, at just over 39 million tonnes, and that it is now routine to produce over 30 million tonnes per year, Moe said.
鈥淥ur scientists and our researchers have made a huge difference in the lives of millions of people to billions of people around the world, the Saskatchewan is quite literally feeding and the world's population and we know continues to grow.鈥�
鈥淲e need to continue to invest in agricultural research,鈥� Moe said.
He noted an article last February on a website called Human Progress which pointed out, as Moe said, 鈥淭he battle to feed humanity has been won.鈥�
Between 1968 and 2017,聽 the world鈥檚 population grew by 113 per cent, from 3.5 billion to 7.5 billion, yet over that same time period, the average global food supply, per person, per day, grew from 2,300 calories to about 3,000, an additional 27 per cent.
Moe said it was absolutely stunning to realize, 鈥渇or most of human history, far too many people have lived on the very edge of starving. And today, famine has virtually disappeared.鈥�
He said Saskatchewan has played an outsized role in making that happen, and our researchers are 鈥渢he very best in the world at what they do.鈥�
鈥淪askatchewan鈥檚 agriculture sector has incredible growth potential and this targeted investment will help our producers and agri-businesses innovate to continue to deliver what the world needs,鈥� Moe said. 鈥淭his investment supports the bold goals in the Saskatchewan Growth Plan that will see our聽 crop production increase to 45 million tonnes, agriculture聽 exports increase to $20 billion and value-added revenue increase to $10 billion.鈥�
Support for ADF projects is awarded on a competitive basis to researchers looking to examine areas of importance to Saskatchewan producers.聽
In addition to funding provided by the federal and provincial governments, the following industry partners have contributed a total of more than $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 and Manitoba Crop Alliance.
鈥淪ask Wheat has invested $12.9 million of producer funding through the ADF process since 2015,鈥� Sask Wheat Chair Brett Halstead said in a release. 鈥淭he program provides opportunities for quality, innovative projects that will benefit Saskatchewan grain producers.聽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.鈥�
The ADF is supported through the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, a five-year, $3 billion investment by federal, provincial and territorial governments to strengthen the agriculture and agri-food sector.聽聽 This includes a $388-million investment in strategic initiatives for Saskatchewan agriculture.
