Canadian canola research is getting a multi-million dollar boost.
Agriculture Minister Lawrence MacAulay announced Tuesday in Manitoba that Ottawa will invest $9 million in the Canola Council of Canada (CCC) through the AgriScience Program – Clusters Component, an initiative under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership.
When federal funding is combined with contributions from Alberta Canola, SaskCanola, Manitoba Canola Growers, the Ontario Canola Growers Association and industry, the total investment in research and innovation will be more than $17 million over five years. Under the funding partnership, a total of 17 projects will be carried out in collaboration with public research institutions across Canada.
The goal of the canola cluster is to sustainably increase Canada’s canola productivity, help the canola sector meet rising global demands and improve global competitiveness. To achieve these objectives, the CCC will use the funding to focus on three priority areas: research on sustainable, and reliable supply; increasing value; and ensuring stable and open trade, according to a federal release.
“This critical research will keep the (canola) sector on the cutting edge so it can continue to grow sustainably, while feeding and fueling Canada, and the world,” the release said.
The 17 projects encompass all links in the canola value chain, including genetics, crop production, processing and export. The research is expected to:
Enhance understanding and application of advanced 4R nutrient management practices to increase yield and profitability while reducing nitrous oxide emissions and sequestering more carbon;
Expand understanding of how canola can mitigate climate change;
Expand efforts in developing robust genetic resistance against key canola pathogens and pests;
Strengthen economic advantages for the grower through yield improvements, optimizing inputs, and reduced risk from pests, pathogens and environmental changes;
Enhance understanding of canola meal’s impact on reducing emissions in dairy production and its nutritional value in aquaculture markets.
Canola is Canada’s second largest acreage crop, with approximately 20 million acres produced annually. It generated $13.7 billion in farm cash receipts in 2022.
The Clusters Component, under the AgriScience Program, supports projects intended to mobilize industry, government and academia through partnerships and address priority national themes and horizontal issues.
