Feds commit to a $70-million investment over five years
By Diego Flammini
Staff Writer
Farms.com
The federal government is helping equip Canada’s ag science sector with the tools and personnel it needs to be a world leader.
Today, Lawrence Macaulay, the federal ag minister, announced a $70-million investment into ag science, which the feds will distribute over five years. The sector will hire about 75 scientists.
“This investment allows us to hire the next generation of world-class scientists here in Harrow, (Ont.) and across the country, and will help give our farmers the tools they need to grow their businesses for years to come,” MacAulay said in a statement today.
The government will divide the funding in three ways.
About $44 million is earmarked to hire new scientists and about $16 million is destined to fund collaborative research on “priority areas affecting the agriculture sector, such as environmental issues,” the release said.
And Ottawa is setting about $10 million aside for a new Living Laboratories Initiative so industry groups and government can work together to develop solutions for ag issues.
Industry groups are pleased with the government’s dedication to ag research.
“Thank you for this investment to continue to expand agricultural research capacity in Canada,” the Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association said on Twitter today.
Investing in ag science and research helps ensure Canada is a global leader in food production and security.
“The science done at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada is vitally important for our food supply today and for our food security tomorrow,” Dr. Mona Nemer, chief science advisor of Canada, said in the statement today. “Increasing the number of researchers who carry out this important work will support agricultural discovery and innovation.
“It is a good step towards ensuring that decision makers have access to the scientific evidence they need to help keep Canada’s food supply safe, healthy and sustainable.”
Farms.com has reached out to members of the ag science community for comment.
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