The governments of Canada and Manitoba will be supporting four diversification centres, Federal Agriculture Minister Lawrence MacAulay and Manitoba Agriculture Minister Ralph Eichler announced today.
“Our government is a strong supporter of innovation in the agriculture sector,” said MacAulay. “By investing in these diversification centres, we are generating exciting new information sharing between researchers and producers that helps to drive the agriculture sector forward by giving farmers new crop management strategies and environmental best practices.”
“Manitoba’s diversification centres are a trusted partner, essential in collecting and sharing information with producers and many others about agronomy, environmental stewardship, emerging opportunities and innovative solutions,” said Eichler. “Our government remains committed to this essential partnership and the many benefits stemming from crop diversification centres for producers, the economy and the province as a whole.”
Canada and Manitoba will be providing $3 million in funding through the Canadian Agricultural Partnership over five years to support four diversification centres. Manitoba’s four diversification centres – Prairies East Sustainable Agriculture Initiative Inc., Westman Agricultural Diversification Organization Inc., Parkland Crop Diversification Centre Inc. and Manitoba Horticulture Productivity Enhancement Centre Inc. – are located throughout the province and operate as private-public partnerships, investing in farmer-focused applied research that creates benefits for the entire agricultural sector. Funding will be used for operating costs such as research supplies, specialized services, land rental, equipment and maintenance.
The five-year, $3-billion Canadian Agricultural Partnership includes $2 billion for cost-shared strategic initiatives delivered by the provinces and territories and $1 billion for federal programs and services. For more information, visit www.canada.ca/Agri-Partnership.