REGINA — The federal and provincial governments are allocating $14.7 million to support crop-related research in 2024.
Allocated through Saskatchewan's Agriculture Development Fund (ADF) and the Strategic Research Initiative (SRI) under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP), the commitment includes $12.2 million for 56 ADF research projects and $2.5 million to support an SRI project identifying solutions to manage root rot in peas and lentils.
The ADF provides support annually to research projects with the potential to create growth opportunities and enhance the agriculture industry's sustainability and competitiveness, according to a press release. This year's successful ADF projects cover a range of research topics, including enhancing flax abiotic stress tolerance; determining the impact of agronomic products containing calcium on soil conditions, plant growth and greenhouse gas emissions; understanding, mitigating and managing Group 14 resistant kochia; and, developing a wet fractionation process for novel oat protein ingredients.
The Governments of Canada and Saskatchewan work closely with industry partners to leverage funding to support research that aligns with industry priorities. An additional $4.2 million was contributed by the following industry partners to support this year's ADF research projects:
- Alberta Grains
- Manitoba Canola Growers
- Manitoba Crop Alliance
- Prairie Oat Growers Association
- Results Driven Agriculture Research
- Saskatchewan Barley Development Commission
- Saskatchewan Canola Development Commission
- Saskatchewan Flax Development Commission
- Saskatchewan Forage Seed Development Commission
- Saskatchewan Pulse Growers
- Saskatchewan Wheat Development Commission
- Western Grains Research Foundation
The SRI provides targeting funding to address complex challenges facing the agriculture sector. Through the SRI, Dr. Sabine Banniza at the University of Saskatchewan will accelerate the discovery of root rot solutions for pea and lentil crops in Saskatchewan. This project will develop new options to manage root rot and will contribute to preserving and expanding the pea and lentil acres in our province. It represents a $4.2 million research investment, with $2.5 million in government funding through Sustainable CAP and $1.7 million coming from Saskatchewan Pulse Growers (SPG), Western Grains Research Foundation, Alberta Pulse Growers Commission, Results Driven Agriculture Research and Manitoba Pulse and Soybean Growers.
"The continued support from federal and provincial governments of the ADF is greatly appreciated," SPG Board Chair Winston van Staveren said.
"The funding supports SPG's highest priorities in research like root disease, weed management and more. These investments will work to address growers' top concerns and work to improve profitability and competitiveness."
For more information, including a full list of the above projects, please visit https://www.saskatchewan.ca/business/agriculture-natural-resources-and-industry/agribusiness-farmers-and-ranchers/sustainable-canadian-agricultural-partnership/programs-for-research/agriculture-development-fund.
