Minister Vandal announces investments in agriculture and agri-food in Saskatchewan

Saskatoon, Saskatchewan – PrairiesCan

The agriculture and agri-food sector is a major contributor to Canada’s economy, employing thousands of workers across the country. Saskatchewan is a powerhouse of agricultural production, innovation and technology. Through coordination across federal departments and in partnership with industry, the Government of Canada is helping Saskatchewan’s small- and medium-sized businesses to build on the region’s strengths and leverage opportunities to grow our economy.

Today the Honourable Dan Vandal, Minister for PrairiesCan, announced a federal investment of over $10 million for eight projects in agriculture, ag manufacturing, value-added ag, and agri-food sectors in Saskatchewan. This includes non-repayable investments supporting agricultural manufacturing, and repayable investments to help expand farming operations, the output of value-added agricultural products, and manufacturing capacity for agricultural equipment.

Examples include:

• Simpson Seeds Inc. is receiving over $1.9 million to procure and commission equipment for a new lentil flour processing facility in Moose Jaw, SK.
• Agricultural Manufacturers of Canada is receiving over $1.1 million to provide business services and assistance to the agricultural manufacturing sector and agriculture sector through the Careers in Ag initiative.
• Drake Meat Processors Inc. is receiving $3.5 million to procure, install, and commission equipment for a new meat processing facility in Saskatoon to expand the market in Western Canada.

The eight projects receiving funding today will help create approximately 180 new jobs and maintain hundreds more, provide services for equipment manufacturers and the agricultural sector, and help agriculture and agri-food businesses take advantage of economic opportunities to grow and diversify. These investments are expected to create additional revenue of over $110 million for businesses in the sector, including additional export sales of over $70 million, helping to strengthen the future of Saskatchewan’s agriculture and agri-food sector and support jobs for years to come.