Ottawa Announces Funding for Eastern Canadian Oilseed Research

The federal government on Friday announced more than $4.3 million to improve the long-term security and sustainability of the eastern Canadian oilseed industry. 

Earmarked for the Eastern Canada Oilseed Development Alliance (ECODA), the funding is expected to help develop new agronomic technologies, improved cropping systems, and adaptive crop varieties to address environmental challenges such as climate change and soil degradation, while meeting market demands. 

Established in 2009, the ECODA is a private, not-for-profit organization that fosters innovation and market opportunities in the oilseed supply chain by coordinating research initiatives across Eastern Canada.  

In addition to aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the work will also coordinate knowledge transfer among stakeholders, and improve soil health, crop resilience and yields, a government release said. 

In 2023, oilseeds were seeded on just over 4 million acres in eastern Canada with most of this acreage (70%) being soybeans. Eastern Canada accounts for 14% of seeded acres of oilseeds and 22% of total production. 

“Oilseed crops are a vital part of farming here in eastern Canada,” Agriculture Minister Lawrence MacAulay said in announcing the funding in P.E.I.  “This support will help farmers stay ahead of challenges like climate change, while keeping their crops healthy and their farms productive.”