The Government of Canada is investing in research that will boost the Canadian economy and help farmers to increase their production of sought-after Canadian canola. MP Brian Storseth (Westlock-St. Paul) announced a $1 million investment in the Sustainable Cropping System Platforms for Biodiesel Feedstock Quantity and Quality (SBQQ) research network.
“Our government is helping Canadian farmers thrive. Biodiesel not only creates a new market for their crops, it opens the possibility of farmers growing their own fuel,” said Mr. Storseth, who made the announcement on behalf of Federal Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz. “This research network will help farmers grow more canola more often, giving them a competitive edge in the burgeoning biofuels industry, and giving them more income, which will in turn boost the economy.”
It is estimated that canola contributes over $11 billion annually to the Canadian economy. For every $100 million of additional canola that is demanded, a projected $83 million in additional Canadian gross domestic product is generated and more than 730 new jobs are created.
To find out the most effective ways to increase canola production, the Sustainable Cropping System Platforms for Biodiesel Feedstock Quantity and Quality (SBQQ) research network will carry out a series of experiments conducted across the major soil zones and ecoregions of Western Canada.
“Canola is a strong driver of our economy. The Alberta Canola Producers’ Commission is looking forward to the outcome of this initiative, which should lead to increased profitability for canola farmers and beneficial spin-offs for the entire industry,” said Kevin Auch, Chair of the Alberta Canola Producers’ Commission (ACPC), the lead organization for SBQQ.
Other participants include the University of Alberta, the University of Saskatchewan, the Alberta Biodiesel Association, Olds College, and the Canola Council of Canada.
Funding for this project is being provided through Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s Agricultural Bioproducts Innovation Program (ABIP), a federal funding program designed to integrate Canada’s talent from universities, industry and government in order to stimulate creativity, leverage resources, reduce costs and accelerate progress towards commercialization of bioproducts and bioprocesses.
For additional information about ABIP, please visit www.agr.gc.ca/abip.
