The $50 million Agricultural Innovation Program has great potential for driving continued innovation in the canola industry, says Canola Council of Canada (CCC) president JoAnne Buth.
Details of the Agriculture Innovation Program were announced by Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz. The program will help fund industry-led science and technology by supporting innovative value-added products, technologies, processes and services.
“Canola is an innovation-driven crop, so we are a good fit for this type of program,” says Buth. “Our existing research programs, together with potentially further research under this program will be important to continued growth in our industry.”
The canola industry’s investment in innovation is a primary driver in the $15.4 billion economic impact of canola on Canada,” says CCC Corporate Affairs vice-president Jim Everson. “Continued public support for this type of work is welcome and necessary.”
Research already has led to better, science-driven solutions to agronomic challenges at the farm level which in turn has contributed to both profitability for farmers, and sustainable production to meet growing market demand.
The canola industry in Canada has set a 2015 target of 15 million tonnes annually of sustained canola production to meet demand.
