Accelerated breeding is nothing new to the world of agriculture, but a homegrown initiative just received a big financial boost.
The Global Institute for Food Security operates at the University of Saskatchewan, and their accelerated breeding program received a $5 million commitment from Farm Credit Canada.
“For those who are being introduced to our organization for the first time, we were founded as a unique industry government academic partnership in 2012,” explained Steve Webb, CEO of GIFS.
“Our mission is to work with partners to discover, develop, and deliver innovative solutions for the production of globally sustainable food. I’m especially excited that we’re here at Canada’s Farm Show in Regina, which serves as a great reminder about why we do the work and who we do it for: Canadian farmers. And in particular, growers here in Saskatchewan, in Western Canada, where we produce some of the world’s most sustainable products and agricultural commodities in the world.”
The newly minted FCC Accelerated Breeding Program at GIFS seeks to increase yields for crop and livestock breeding, using such technologies as genomic selection, speed breeding, bioinformatics and computer simulations.
“We are proud to be part of Canada’s innovation ecosystem that is helping bring new tools and solutions to growers to build on these results and further enhance economic, environmental, and social sustainability of the entire agri-food system,” said Webb. “We have the opportunity today to reimagine how partnerships and collaboration can accelerate the velocity of innovation, the opportunity to bring even more new tools and technologies to enhance agriculture and food.”
Justine Hendricks, FCC president and CEO, spoke of the great work done at GIFS, highlighting the importance of it happening in Saskatchewan.
“It is a key pillar of our strategy with FCC’s investment of $5 million,” she said. “We are excited to support research and help enhance the future of food security. It’s about partnering with producers and industry to find innovative solutions that will ensure the crops grown and livestock raised are focused on today, tomorrow, and the well being of generations to come. Leveraging innovative solutions is not new to our industry, certainly not new to this province, and Canada has long been a global leader in sustainable production.”
Previous to her role at FCC, Hendricks worked with Export Development Canada, giving her more insight into the issue of food security on a global scale than the average individual.
“This partnership is about collaboration, and investing in impactful innovation,” Hendricks said. “It’s an opportunity to leverage our industry’s knowledge and new technology to address the challenges producers face. The accelerated breeding program brings together cutting edge science and practical agricultural knowledge. It will bring new crop varieties and livestock genetics to producers and other stakeholders much faster, which will stimulate rural economic growth and increased revenue.”
With the global population projected to reach 10 billion by 2050, being proactive about food security is crucial. Currently, food demand has risen by 60 per cent, making projects like the accelerated breeding program more important than ever.
“The program will make food production more efficient, sustainable, and adaptable to the world’s evolving needs,” explained Hendricks. “Agriculture and food needs all of us supporting with our voices and investments to realize the change the world needs and keep Canada at the forefront of agricultural excellence. So looking ahead, we envision a future where our efforts today lay the foundation for new and innovative solutions that will drive increased productivity, economic growth, and further advanced sustainable production practices to feed Canada and the world. This partnership is a critical step towards that future.”
Provincial agriculture minister David Marit was also on hand for the announcement, beginning with sentiments of appreciation.
“On behalf of the farmers and ranchers of this province, thank you very much for this investment into the ag sector here, not only in the province, Saskatchewan, but all of Canada,” he said.
A founding partner of GIFS, the Government of Saskatchewan announced a large monetary injection of its own earlier this year, some $15 million over five years.
“This announcement today only enhances the value of the Global Institute for Food Security, and we’re very fortunate and grateful to have FCC as a partner,” Marit said. “This province is a global leader in agri-food research and production. Over the last five years, we’ve invested almost $52 million into crop related research through the Agriculture Development Fund alone. That’s the kind of support that helps our producers stay competitive and profitable in the international markets. That work can and does have a tremendous impact in Saskatchewan, and arguably around the world.”
Marit also noted how farmers in Saskatchewan— as well as agri-food stakeholders—“need that advantage.”
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