Investing in Research to Develop Sustainable Agricultural Practices

SASKATOON, Nov. 15, 2018 /CNW/ - Farmers know the importance of keeping the land, water and air healthy to sustain their farms from one generation to the next. The Government of Canada is proud to invest in research that will help farmers and livestock producers have a beneficial impact on the environment, while continuing to grow the economy.

Today, the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, Lawrence MacAulay, announced support from the Government of Canada for three cutting-edge projects by researchers at the University of Saskatchewan's (USask) College of Agriculture and Bioresources, School of Environment and Sustainability and the Global Institute for Water Security, to help the agriculture sector reduce its environmental footprint.

These projects are being supported with a $3.4 million investment through the Agricultural Greenhouse Gases Program (AGGP), to conduct research into greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation practices and technologies that can be adopted on the farm.

Studies through this funding include researchers looking at different pasture management practices, and testing different mixtures of forage plants, that would reduce the amount of GHG's released into the air. Another study will help farmers decide on the best options for planting shelterbelts, including both farmyard and field shelterbelts, to reduce GHG emissions. Researchers are also looking at ways to reduce GHG released from water storage reservoirs as part of an overall on-farm water management plan.

Quotes

"Canadian farmers are great stewards of the land and the environment. These new investments through the Agricultural Greenhouse Gases Program are part of the Government's commitment to addressing climate change and ensuring our farmers are world leaders in the use and development of clean and sustainable technologies and processes."
- Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food

"Science and innovation are the greatest allies in helping the agricultural industry meet the challenges of climate change. Climate change and sustainability are key priorities for the Government of Canada and these projects with the University of Saskatchewan will help farmers adopt sustainable practices that will strengthen their businesses and protect the planet."
- Ralph Goodale, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness and Member of Parliament (Regina - Wascana)

"As a world leader in agricultural research for more than a century, the University of Saskatchewan is at the forefront of innovative research aimed at reducing the environmental footprint of agriculture, while keeping our farms economically viable and improving the quality and availability of high-quality food and products for everyone. These investments enable our scientists to help find ways to capture more carbon dioxide and further reduce other greenhouse gas emissions – such as nitrous oxide and methane – produced in farming. And they are using novel technologies – such as satellite mapping and sensors – to do it."
- Mary Buhr, Dean of the U of S College of Agriculture and BioResources

Quick facts

• The $27 million AGGP covers four priority areas of research: livestock systems, cropping systems, agricultural water use efficiency, and agro-forestry, in partnership with universities and conservation groups.
• AGGP investments support the work of the Global Research Alliance on Agricultural Greenhouse Gases, which brings together 49 countries to find ways to grow more food without growing greenhouse gas emissions.

Additional links

• Minister MacAulay's announcement of 20 new AGGP projects (Apr 21, 2017)
• Minister MacAulay's announcement renewing AGGP (Mar. 30, 2016)
• Agricultural Greenhouse Gases Program
• Global Research Alliance on Agricultural Greenhouse Gases
• University of Saskatchewan

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SOURCE Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

For further information: Katie Hawkins, Director of Communications, Office of the Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, 613-773-1059, [e-mail]; Media Relations, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, 613-773-7972, 1-866-345-7972, [e-mail]; Jennifer Thoma, Media Relations Specialist, University of Saskatchewan, 306-966-1851, [e-mail]

Related Links

www.agr.gc.ca