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Cereals Canada has secured $7.3 million in funding from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) to enhance research, innovation and market support for the Canadian cereal sector.
This investment, part of the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP), includes $6.6 million allocated over three years through the AgriMarketing Program (AMP) and $674,000 over five years from the AgriScience Program (ASP).
The funding aims to bolster the competitiveness of Canadian cereal farmers, who are vital to the agricultural landscape, contributing approximately $68.8 billion annually to the economy and supporting around 370,000 full-time jobs. Canadian cereals also lead the country’s agricultural exports, with shipments to over 80 countries.
Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, Lawrence MacAulay, said: "Our cereal farmers are a cornerstone of Canada's agricultural sector and work so hard to grow top quality grain".
He added: "With this funding, we're not only helping them stay competitive, but also making sure that Canadian grains continue to meet our high standards, here at home and around the world. This vitally important investment will support the growth, sustainability and future of cereal farming in Canada."
Dean Dias, CEO of Cereals Canada, commented: "We are grateful for the support from the Government of Canada for applied research and market access initiatives that will benefit Canadian wheat, durum, barley and oat growers, and the value chain as a whole."
He continued: "This funding enables us to amplify our resources, maintain and grow markets, and foster industry relationships and advocacy, helping to ensure the long-term competitiveness and sustainability of Canada's cereals industry".
A key initiative funded by the AgriScience Program will examine how environmental conditions and crop variety impact oat quality for various food applications over the next four years.
This research, conducted in collaboration with AAFC scientists, aims to provide insights into the consistency of Canadian oats, which are increasingly sought after as premium food ingredients globally.
The Sustainable CAP represents a broader $3.5 billion initiative by federal, provincial, and territorial governments designed to enhance the resilience and innovation within Canada’s agriculture sector.
This includes a $1 billion federal commitment and a $2.5 billion cost-shared investment aimed at supporting programmes tailored to local needs.
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