CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. - Local research efforts to improve agriculture productivity received a healthy financial boost from Ottawa and Atlantic Canada provinces.
Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Lawrence MacAulay announced Friday an investment of more than $4 million to the Atlantic Grains Council under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership.
The funding includes $3.2 million under the Partnership’s AgriScience Program and $260,655 each from the provinces of P.E.I., Nova Scotia and New Brunswick and $44,550 from Newfoundland and Labrador.
With eight of the 11 projects taking place at the Harrington Research Centre in P.E.I., researchers here are leading much of the work.
The funding will be used to support research efforts focused on improving producer productivity and competitiveness, while preserving and protecting soil and water resources, in order to support the long-term sustainability of grains and oilseeds cropping systems in Atlantic Canada.
“The grains and oilseeds sector plays a vital role in Atlantic Canada’s economy, producing top-quality products and providing good, middle-class jobs,’’ said MacAulay. “By investing in research and working together, industry, scientist and governments, our (federal) government is helping grow the sector and create opportunities for farmers and their families in rural communities across Atlantic Canada for years to come.’’
P.E.I. Agriculture and Fisheries Minister Robert Henderson said farmers in the grains and oilseeds industry have played a major role in the P.E.I. economy by producing high quality products that are recognized around the world.
“The funding announced today invests in important research which supports the long-term sustainability of the sector for Island farmers.’’
P.E.I. produces just over half the approximately 500,000 tonnes of crops produced annually in the Maritimes with a total grains and oilseeds acreage of roughly 300,000 acres.
The Atlantic Grains Council focuses on research for Atlantic grains and oilseeds producers in a variety of crops in the Atlantic region, including barley, corn, oats, soybeans and wheat.
