Governments of Canada and Manitoba invest in agricultural research and development

December 03, 2010

WINNIPEG – Innovative new research will help farmers lower their production cost, diversify their income and drive economic growth in their communities. The Government of Canada and the Province of Manitoba today announced $2.6 million to support 48 targeted and results based agricultural development projects.
 
“Our support of agriculture-related research projects helps promote the development of new farming processes, systems and products that can create economic benefits for rural communities, health benefits for Manitobans and environmental benefits for our province,” said Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives Minister Stan Struthers. “I am encouraged and impressed by these innovative projects that will help develop new farm income streams, create new links in the value-added chain and reduce costs of primary production for farm families.”
 
While one project will explore new bean variety development strengthening options for growers, another project aims to help farmers avoid revenue loss from weed infestations. Two projects will also investigate how farmers can increase yield and quality of market potatoes by improving soil preparation methods, moisture and tillage.
 
“We know that research and science drive innovation in agriculture,” said MP Rod Bruinooge (Winnipeg – South) on behalf of federal Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz. “I’m proud to be part of a Government that makes smart, targeted investments to produce results that help farmers make their businesses more efficient, profitable and competitive.”
 
Many of the successful projects are being investigated at the University of Manitoba, involving departments as diverse as Biosystems Engineering, Agribusiness and Agricultural Economics, Animal Science and the Richardson Centre for Functional Foods and Nutraceuticals and Human Nutritional Science. Other research projects tap the expertise of Manitoba’s agricultural organizations and businesses.  
 
Agriculture Research Development Initiative (ARDI) has supported agricultural research and development projects since 1998 as part of Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives. These projects are being driven by the Canada and Manitoba Growing Forward initiative.
 
More than $36 million in ARDI contributions have been approved to support Manitoba-based agricultural research and development projects, leveraging the $47 million committed to this research by producers and Manitoba businesses. The complete list of approved projects is available in the attached backgrounders and online at:
www.gov.mb.ca/agriculture/research/ardi/recentapprovals.html.