Agricultural organizations are seeking predictable funding to maintain breeding capacity and advance crop development across Canada.
Grain Farmers of Ontario and several producer and industry organizations across Canada are urging the government to establish a national plant breeding strategy that reflects the different needs of crops, regions and farmers.
The groups have released a joint vision titled; A National Plant Breeding Strategy Must Work for Every Crop.
The document has received support from the Atlantic Grains Council, Producteurs de grains du Québec, Ontario Bean Growers, Ontario Canola Growers Association, Manitoba Pulse & Soybean Growers, Prairie Oat Growers Association, Alberta Pulse Growers and SeCan, along with Grain Farmers of Ontario.
Plant breeding is fundamental to Canadian agriculture. New crop varieties can take more than a decade to progress from research to commercial production.
Breeding programmes help develop varieties with improved resistance to pests and diseases, greater tolerance to changing weather conditions, stronger productivity and quality characteristics, and the ability to meet evolving market demands.
The organizations say public investment is especially important for crops where limited market size or royalty returns may not attract sufficient private breeding investment. These include oats, food-grade soybeans, wheat and barley in Eastern Canada, Ontario-grown canola and certain pulse crops such as dry beans.
“Plant breeding is an investment in the future of Canadian agriculture. The work happening today will shape the varieties farmers have access to, and our ability to adapt to changing conditions and continue producing high-quality food here at home," said Jeff Harrison, chair, Grain Farmers of Ontario.
"We need to make sure our breeding system can support the full range of crops farmers grow across the country, including those where private investment alone may not be enough. Taking that long-term view is essential to keeping Canadian agriculture strong and resilient,” Harrison added.
The groups are seeking renewed multi-year federal funding before the 2028 funding framework, noting that current Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada-supported breeding programmes are scheduled to end in 2028.
They are also calling for the next AgriScience Program to support the full variety-development process, particularly for crops with limited private-sector investment.
The organizations say predictable, long-term funding is essential for maintaining breeding capacity and moving new varieties through years of testing before they reach farmers.
The groups plan to continue discussions with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and other stakeholders to develop a national strategy that reflects Canada’s diverse agricultural sector.
Photo Credit: grain-farmers-of-ontario