HALIFAX, March 6, 2019 /CNW/ - The Canadian horticulture sector is a key contributor to Canada's economy, representing over $5 billion in sales and $2.6 billion in exports and supporting thousands of jobs across the country while expanding markets for the sector's safe, high-quality products.
Today, Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence, on behalf of Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food was at the Canadian Horticultural Council Annual General Meeting to announce a federal investment of up to $11.5 million to the Horticulture Cluster under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership. The cluster, led by the Canadian Horticultural Council, will include an additional $6.5 million in contributions from industry, for a total investment of $18 million.
The cluster will support cutting-edge research to develop new technologies and practices for better pest and disease management, post-harvest storage and handling for apples, berries, field vegetables, potatoes and greenhouse grown crops and strategies to improve soil health.
It will also build on previous work by supporting sustainable practices to reduce the environmental footprint and develop new crop varieties to keep our growers profitable and competitive.
Quotes
"Innovation is the lifeblood of Canada's horticulture industry. Through the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, we are committed to supporting cutting-edge research that will address challenges and deliver new tools and practices to help Canadian farmers lead the world in sustainable, high quality fruit and vegetable production for years to come."
- Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence
"CHC is thrilled to again be entering into a valued partnership with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada on its AgriScience Cluster Program. This important funding allows us to broaden the scope of research for many different fruits and vegetables and address key issues, such as pest management tools, labour, production costs, and variety evaluation. AAFC's Cluster program will help to ensure Canadian farmers can continue to grow fruits and vegetables of the highest quality, while supporting the sector's competitiveness in an ever-changing world."
- Brian Gilroy, President Canadian Horticultural Council
Quick Facts
- The Canadian Agricultural Partnership is a five-year, $3 billion investment by federal, provincial and territorial governments to strengthen the agriculture and agri-food sector.
- The Partnership includes programs and activities to enhance the competitiveness of the sector through research, science and innovation. Through the AgriScience Program, a five-year, $338 million initiative, the government is supporting leading edge discovery and applied science, and innovation driven by industry research priorities.
- The Canadian Horticultural Council (CHC) is a not-for-profit, national association that represents fruit and vegetable growers across Canada involved in the production of over 120 different types of crops on over 14,237 farms.
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SOURCE Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Katie Hawkins, Director of Communications, Office of the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, 613-773-1059, [email protected]; Media Relations, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, 613-773-7972, 1-866-345-7972, [email protected]
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