Government invests in agriculture research

Oct. 18, 2013 – Federal Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz and Saskatchewan Agriculture Minister Lyle Stewart announced $17.25 million in funding over the next five years for 13 strategic research chairs.  These world-class research chairs will help ensure that Saskatchewan has the capacity to further develop new crop varieties, expand the sector’s knowledge and enhance technologies to grow the agriculture industry.

“This funding ensures that we have highly-qualified scientists whose work in the lab transfers to results in the field,” Stewart said.  “Their research provides Saskatchewan producers with the tools and information to be industry leaders, increase production and continue producing safe, reliable products to feed a growing world population.”

The Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture’s Strategic Research Program focuses on four areas: crop genetic improvement; livestock development; food and bioproducts development; and, soils and environment.  Each chair consists of a scientist and a technician who reside at the University of Saskatchewan.  The program assures stable funding to facilitate the recruitment and retention of the best research personnel.  The chairs are responsible for attracting project funding from programs offered by public and private sectors to support their respective research program.

“This investment provides crucial support to our current researchers and resources to attract more world-class scientists to create knowledge to help farmers prosper and help feed a growing world population,” University of Saskatchewan Vice-President for Research Karen Chad said.

This funding includes the creation of a new forage research chair in 2013, as a result of feedback from industry groups.  Since 2007, the federal and provincial governments have committed $35 million to the Strategic Research Program.

For more information on the program and Growing Forward 2, please visit the Saskatchewan Agriculture website at www.agriculture.gov.sk.ca/GrowingForward2 or the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada website at www.agr.gc.ca/growingforward2.